David Silva vs Michael Ballack: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023) · Central Midfielder, Germany (born 1976, retired 2012)
Ask any fan to rank David Silva above or below Michael Ballack and you will get a passionate answer. Position shapes everything in football, and these two fulfilled very different briefs. Across his senior career David Silva notched 124 goals in 771 appearances (0.16 per game), while Michael Ballack recorded 181 in 641 (0.28 per game). Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. David Silva departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2010); Michael Ballack with 8, including 4× Bundesliga (1998–2006). The attacking midfielder duties of David Silva leaned dictatorial; the central midfielder responsibilities of Michael Ballack leaned orchestrating. The wider career context matters too: David Silva peaked around 2012 after representing Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad, while Michael Ballack's defining level came around 2002 across Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Chelsea. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
170 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
David Josué Jiménez Silva (born 8 January 1986) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played mainly as a central or an attacking midfielder and occasionally as a winger or second striker. Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation and among the greatest players in Premier League history, he was known for his balance, ball control and agility in close spaces, combined with his skill, composure, passing and flair on the ball. Silva spent seven years of his professional career with Valencia, playing from 2004 to 2010, and won the Copa del Rey in 2008.
“A pocket-sized conductor whose close control and passing gave Manchester City its early rhythm.”
Michael Ballack is a German former professional footballer who is now a football agent. He was selected by Pelé as one of FIFA's 100 Greatest Living Players, and as the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year in 2002. He won the German Footballer of the Year award three times – in 2002, 2003 and 2005.
“A tall, complete midfielder whose late runs and striking technique created decisive goals.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2010)
- 4× Bundesliga (1998–2006)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 1994 Established himself at Bayer Leverkusen
- 1998 Reached his defining peak
- 2002 Delivered a landmark season
- 2012 Retired from professional football
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, David Silva takes the verdict — a narrow margin, driven by remarkable longevity.
David Silva edges it (a narrow margin)
