David James vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, England (born 1970, retired 2014) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
There is something timeless about weighing David James against Elías Figueroa. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. By the end David James had 0 goals from 850 caps and club outings; Elías Figueroa had 40 from 600. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. In major honours David James collected 1 — headlined by 1× FA Cup (2008) — whereas Elías Figueroa amassed 5, led by 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: David James brave, Elías Figueroa resolute. Their routes to the top were distinct: David James built his reputation across Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Bristol City, Bournemouth, peaking around 2005, while Elías Figueroa reached his defining level around 1974 after spells with Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
173 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
The Premier League's most-capped goalkeeper at the time of his retirement, James was renowned for his shot-stopping and occasional highlight-reel errors across a two-decade top-flight career.
“An athletic, agile shot-stopper whose reflexes and command of his box made him a mainstay of English goalkeeping for two decades.”
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
- 1× FA Cup (2008)
- 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1988 Professional debut for Watford
- 2008 Won FA Cup with Portsmouth
- 2005 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester City
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Bournemouth
- Finished his career with 0 goals in 850 appearances and 1 major honours. Finished his career with 0 goals in 850 appearances and 1 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
If forced to pick, Elías Figueroa is the choice: a decisive margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Elías Figueroa edges it (a decisive margin)
