David Silva vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
David Silva against Raymond Kopa is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. Career output puts David Silva at 124 goals in 771 games, with Raymond Kopa at 150 in 450. 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. The honours ledger favours David Silva with 9 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2010)) against Raymond Kopa's 5 (3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)). History will file David Silva under incisive greatness and Raymond Kopa under flair-driven greatness — different shelves, same temple. Club journeys add another layer, with David Silva reaching his representative peak around 2012 across Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad and Raymond Kopa doing so around 1958 with Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
168 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
France's first football superstar and 1958 Ballon d'Or winner, Kopa won three straight European Cups alongside Di Stéfano at Real Madrid before returning to lead Reims.
“A diminutive, dazzling dribbler and creator whose vision and close control made him the conductor of every attack he played in.”
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)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 1949 Professional debut for Angers
- 1957 Won European Cup with Real Madrid
- 1953 Won Ligue 1 with Reims
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 1967 Retired after a final spell at Reims
- Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give David Silva the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
David Silva edges it (a decisive margin)
