Philipp Lahm vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Right-Back / Defensive Midfielder, Germany (born 1983, retired 2017) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
The Philipp Lahm–Park Ji-sung comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. They belonged to different eras, which makes any direct comparison a test of imagination as much as statistics. Career output puts Philipp Lahm at 22 goals in 701 games, with Park Ji-sung at 60 in 550. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Philipp Lahm is listed at 0 and Park Ji-sung at 60 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Philipp Lahm 17 and Park Ji-sung 5, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2014) and 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011) the standout honours respectively. Philipp Lahm belonged to the modern era, dominating with a resolute quality; Park Ji-sung rose in the turn of the millennium with a intelligent edge. Their routes to the top were distinct: Philipp Lahm built his reputation across Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart (loan), peaking around 2014, while Park Ji-sung reached his defining level around 2008 after spells with Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
188 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
German right-back and 2014 World Cup winner; eight-time Bundesliga champion and 2013 Champions League winner with Bayern Munich.
“An intelligent, versatile full-back whose anticipation made him central to Bayern and Germany's success.”
The first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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 (2014)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2013)
- 8× Bundesliga
- 6× DFB-Pokal
- 1× FIFA Club World Cup (2013)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2002 Bayern Munich debut
- 2003 Loaned to VfB Stuttgart
- 2006 World Cup third-place, scored the opening goal
- 2010 Captained Bayern to a painful Champions League final defeat
- 2013 Won the treble under Jupp Heynckes
- 2014 World Cup winner as Germany captain
- 2017 Retired at Bayern Munich
- 2000 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Philipp Lahm is the choice: a decisive margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Philipp Lahm edges it (a decisive margin)
