David Silva vs Pavel Nedvěd: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023) · Midfielder, Czech Republic (born 1972, retired 2009)
Ask any fan to rank David Silva above or below Pavel Nedvěd and you will get a passionate answer. They occupied different roles, which makes a like-for-like verdict a careful exercise. Across his senior career David Silva notched 124 goals in 771 appearances (0.16 per game), while Pavel Nedvěd recorded 156 in 711 (0.22 per game). Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Trophy counts give David Silva 9 and Pavel Nedvěd 9, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2010) and 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1999) the standout honours respectively. The attacking midfielder duties of David Silva leaned silky; the midfielder responsibilities of Pavel Nedvěd leaned orchestrating. The wider career context matters too: David Silva peaked around 2012 after representing Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad, while Pavel Nedvěd's defining level came around 2003 across Dukla Prague, Sparta Prague, Lazio, Juventus. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
165 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.”
Czech midfielder and 2003 Ballon d'Or winner; Serie A champion with Lazio and Juventus.
“A tireless attacking midfielder with explosive shooting from distance and endless running.”
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 Cup Winners' Cup (1999)
- 1× UEFA Super Cup (1999)
- 3× Serie A (2000, 2002, 2003)
- 2× Coppa Italia (1998, 2000)
- 2× Supercoppa Italiana (2002, 2003)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 1991 Dukla Prague debut
- 1996 Joined Lazio
- 1999 Won the Cup Winners' Cup with Lazio
- 2001 Joined Juventus as Zidane's replacement
- 2003 Ballon d'Or winner, reached the Champions League final
- 2005 Stayed at Juventus in Serie B after Calciopoli
- 2009 Retired at Juventus
The verdict
The numbers give Pavel Nedvěd the lead — a narrow margin, courtesy of a stronger all-round attribute profile.
Pavel Nedvěd edges it (a narrow margin)
