Hidetoshi Nakata vs David Luiz: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Japan (born 1977, retired 2006) · Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023)
Put Hidetoshi Nakata and David Luiz side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. Career output puts Hidetoshi Nakata at 60 goals in 400 games, with David Luiz at 35 in 650. Creativity tells a story too: 60 assists for Hidetoshi Nakata against 25 for David Luiz. Hidetoshi Nakata departs the game with 1 major pieces of silverware, including 1× Serie A (2001); David Luiz with 6, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2012). The attacking midfielder duties of Hidetoshi Nakata leaned incisive; the centre-back responsibilities of David Luiz leaned commanding. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Hidetoshi Nakata's landmark level arrived around 2001 with a career spanning Bellmare Hiratsuka, Perugia, Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton Wanderers; David Luiz's came around 2013 across Vitória, Benfica, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, Flamengo. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
163 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
The first Japanese footballer to become a global superstar, Nakata's move to Serie A in 1998 opened the door for a generation of Japanese players in Europe.
“A composed, technically excellent attacking midfielder blessed with an outstanding range of passing and shooting from distance.”
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× Serie A (2001)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2012)
- 2× UEFA Europa League (2013, 2019)
- 2× Premier League (2015, 2017)
- 1× FA Cup (2018)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1995 Professional debut for Bellmare Hiratsuka
- 2001 Won Serie A with Roma
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Bolton Wanderers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours.
- 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
The numbers give David Luiz the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
David Luiz edges it (a clear margin)
