Daniele De Rossi vs Esteban Cambiasso: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, Italy (born 1983, retired 2019) · Central Midfielder, Argentina (born 1980, retired 2016)
Comparing Daniele De Rossi with Esteban Cambiasso means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. By the end Daniele De Rossi had 65 goals from 700 caps and club outings; Esteban Cambiasso had 60 from 620. Add playmaking to the mix and Daniele De Rossi laid on 60 goals, Esteban Cambiasso 55. In major honours Daniele De Rossi collected 3 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (2006) — whereas Esteban Cambiasso amassed 7, led by 1× UEFA Champions League (2010). The central midfielder duties of Daniele De Rossi leaned creative; the central midfielder responsibilities of Esteban Cambiasso leaned incisive. Club journeys add another layer, with Daniele De Rossi reaching his representative peak around 2013 across Roma and Esteban Cambiasso doing so around 2010 with River Plate, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Leicester City, Olympiacos. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
161 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
A one-club legend and 2006 World Cup winner, De Rossi embodied Roma's midfield for nearly two decades, combining ferocious tackling with a superb range of passing.
“A commanding, technically excellent deep-lying midfielder who mixed hard tackling with elegant long-range distribution.”
A tireless, tactically astute Argentine midfielder who anchored Inter's historic 2010 treble-winning side.
“A disciplined box-to-box midfielder with excellent positional sense and a surprising eye for a spectacular long-range goal.”
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 (2006)
- 2× Coppa Italia (2007, 2008)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2010)
- 5× Serie A (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
- 1× FIFA Club World Cup (2010)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2001 Professional debut for Roma
- 2006 Won FIFA World Cup with Roma
- 2007 Won Coppa Italia with Roma
- 2013 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 2019 Retired after a final spell at Roma
- Finished his career with 65 goals in 700 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 65 goals in 700 appearances and 3 major honours.
- 1996 Professional debut for River Plate
- 2010 Won UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan
- 2010 Won FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Milan
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at Inter Milan
- 2016 Retired after a final spell at Olympiacos
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 620 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 620 appearances and 7 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production, silverware and profile, the two finish within a whisker of each other. Call it a respectful draw — greatness of this calibre resists a single winner.
Too close to call — a respectful draw
