Patrick Kluivert vs David Luiz: Stats Compared
Striker, Netherlands (born 1976, retired 2008) · Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023)
Patrick Kluivert and David Luiz represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? They belonged to different eras, which makes any direct comparison a test of imagination as much as statistics. By the end Patrick Kluivert had 229 goals from 563 caps and club outings; David Luiz had 35 from 650. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Patrick Kluivert is listed at 0 and David Luiz at 25 where figures survive. Patrick Kluivert departs the game with 8 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Champions League (1995); David Luiz with 6, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2012). Patrick Kluivert belonged to the 1990s, dominating with a ruthless quality; David Luiz rose in the modern era with a uncompromising edge. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Patrick Kluivert's landmark level arrived around 1999 with a career spanning Ajax, Milan, Barcelona, Newcastle, Valencia, PSV; David Luiz's came around 2013 across Vitória, Benfica, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, Flamengo. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
187 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Patrick Stephan Kluivert is a Dutch football coach and former player. As a player, he played as a striker for Ajax, Barcelona and the Netherlands national team. He was part of Ajax's Golden Generation of the 1990s, scoring the winner in the 1995 UEFA Champions League Final at the age of 18.
“A technically polished striker who linked play beautifully and finished with either foot.”
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.”
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 (1995)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2012)
- 2× UEFA Europa League (2013, 2019)
- 2× Premier League (2015, 2017)
- 1× FA Cup (2018)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1991 Established himself at Ajax
- 1995 Reached his defining peak
- 1999 Delivered a landmark season
- 2008 Retired from professional football
- 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.
The verdict
On balance Patrick Kluivert edges the comparison. The margin is a narrow margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Patrick Kluivert edges it (a narrow margin)
