David Silva vs David Luiz: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023) · Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023)
Ask any fan to rank David Silva above or below David Luiz and you will get a passionate answer. Different decades shaped different demands, and both adapted to theirs brilliantly. Career output puts David Silva at 124 goals in 771 games, with David Luiz at 35 in 650. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, David Silva is credited with 0 and David Luiz with 25. David Silva departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2010); David Luiz with 6, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2012). David Silva belonged to the modern era, dominating with a intelligent quality; David Luiz rose in the modern era with a rugged edge. Context beyond the headline totals is important: David Silva's landmark level arrived around 2012 with a career spanning Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad; David Luiz's came around 2013 across Vitória, Benfica, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, Flamengo. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
180 words · comparison angle: era
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.”
An eccentric, unpredictable Brazilian centre-back famed for his wild hairstyles and thunderous free-kicks, David Luiz won trophies across three major European leagues.
“An unorthodox, high-risk centre-back who combined bold attacking instincts and a huge shot with occasionally erratic positioning.”
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)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2012)
- 2× UEFA Europa League (2013, 2019)
- 2× Premier League (2015, 2017)
- 1× FA Cup (2018)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 2006 Professional debut for Vitória
- 2012 Won UEFA Champions League with Chelsea
- 2018 Won FA Cup with Chelsea
- 2013 Reached the peak of his powers at Chelsea
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Flamengo
- Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, David Silva takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
David Silva edges it (a decisive margin)
