David Luiz vs Per Mertesacker: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023) · Centre-Back, Germany (born 1984, retired 2018)
Put David Luiz and Per Mertesacker side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. They belonged to different eras, which makes any direct comparison a test of imagination as much as statistics. Career output puts David Luiz at 35 goals in 650 games, with Per Mertesacker at 15 in 550. Add playmaking to the mix and David Luiz laid on 25 goals, Per Mertesacker 5. In major honours David Luiz collected 6 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (2012) — whereas Per Mertesacker amassed 4, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (2014). David Luiz belonged to the modern era, dominating with a commanding quality; Per Mertesacker rose in the modern era with a rugged edge. Club journeys add another layer, with David Luiz reaching his representative peak around 2013 across Vitória, Benfica, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, Flamengo and Per Mertesacker doing so around 2014 with Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Arsenal. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
166 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
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.”
A towering, calm German centre-back nicknamed 'BFG' by Arsenal fans, Mertesacker started every match of Germany's triumphant 2014 World Cup campaign.
“A commanding, positionally intelligent centre-back whose reading of the game compensated for a lack of raw pace.”
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× UEFA Champions League (2012)
- 2× UEFA Europa League (2013, 2019)
- 2× Premier League (2015, 2017)
- 1× FA Cup (2018)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2014)
- 3× FA Cup (2014, 2015, 2017)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 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.
- 2001 Professional debut for Hannover 96
- 2014 Won FIFA World Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Won FA Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Arsenal
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give David Luiz the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a stronger all-round attribute profile.
David Luiz edges it (a decisive margin)
