Landon Donovan vs Bixente Lizarazu: Stats Compared
Forward, United States (born 1982, retired 2016) · Left-Back, France (born 1969, retired 2006)
The Landon Donovan–Bixente Lizarazu comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Beyond the numbers, each man brought a singular aesthetic to the pitch. Landon Donovan finishes with 190 career goals from 550 games — a 0.35 strike rate — against Bixente Lizarazu's 15 from 600 at 0.03 per match. In chance creation, Landon Donovan tallied 145 assists to Bixente Lizarazu's 30. Landon Donovan departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014); Bixente Lizarazu with 7, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1998). Landon Donovan played with a predatory that made him unmistakable; Bixente Lizarazu brought a rugged that was equally his own. Their routes to the top were distinct: Landon Donovan built his reputation across San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, LA Galaxy, peaking around 2010, while Bixente Lizarazu reached his defining level around 2001 after spells with Bordeaux, Athletic Bilbao, Bayern Munich, Marseille. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
169 words · comparison angle: style
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 world judo champion off the pitch, Lizarazu was one of the finest left-backs of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League with Bayern Munich.
“A compact, combative full-back whose low centre of gravity and stamina let him bomb up and down the flank all match.”
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)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 4× Bundesliga (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2001)
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.
- 1988 Professional debut for Bordeaux
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Bayern Munich
- 2001 Won UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Bayern Munich
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Marseille
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 600 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
