Landon Donovan vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Forward, United States (born 1982, retired 2016) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
There is something timeless about weighing Landon Donovan against Elías Figueroa. Honours are what separate great players from trophy-laden legends, and both qualify. On production alone, Landon Donovan posted 190 goals across 550 appearances while Elías Figueroa managed 40 across 600. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Landon Donovan is credited with 145 and Elías Figueroa with 0. Landon Donovan departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014); Elías Figueroa with 5, including 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968). One lifted trophies through flair-driven reliability, the other through resolute moments that decided finals. The wider career context matters too: Landon Donovan peaked around 2010 after representing San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, LA Galaxy, while Elías Figueroa's defining level came around 1974 across Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
167 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
The USA's all-time leading scorer for club and country until his retirement, Donovan was the face of American soccer through three World Cups, capped by his dramatic stoppage-time winner against Algeria in 2010.
“A quick, clever forward whose intelligent movement and clinical finishing made him the USA's most decorated attacking player.”
A three-time South American Footballer of the Year, Figueroa is widely considered the finest defender the continent has produced, marshalling Internacional's dominant 1970s side.
“An imperious, elegant centre-back who combined aerial dominance with composed distribution well ahead of his era.”
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
- 6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014)
- 3× CONCACAF Gold Cup (2002, 2005, 2007)
- 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2001 Professional debut for San Jose Earthquakes
- 2001 Won MLS Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2002 Won CONCACAF Gold Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at LA Galaxy
- 2016 Retired after a final spell at LA Galaxy
- Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 major honours. Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 major honours.
- 1965 Professional debut for Santiago Wanderers
- 1967 Won Uruguayan Primera División with Peñarol
- 1973 Won Campeonato Gaúcho with Internacional
- 1974 Reached the peak of his powers at Internacional
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 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
