Hidetoshi Nakata vs Hakan Şükür: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Japan (born 1977, retired 2006) · Striker, Turkey (born 1971, retired 2008)
Hidetoshi Nakata and Hakan Şükür represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. By the end Hidetoshi Nakata had 60 goals from 400 caps and club outings; Hakan Şükür had 320 from 600. Add playmaking to the mix and Hidetoshi Nakata laid on 60 goals, Hakan Şükür 60. The honours ledger favours Hidetoshi Nakata with 1 major trophies (1× Serie A (2001)) against Hakan Şükür's 8 (1× UEFA Cup (2000)). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Hidetoshi Nakata creative, Hakan Şükür flair-driven. Their routes to the top were distinct: Hidetoshi Nakata built his reputation across Bellmare Hiratsuka, Perugia, Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton Wanderers, peaking around 2001, while Hakan Şükür reached his defining level around 2000 after spells with Sakaryaspor, Galatasaray, Torino, Galatasaray, Parma, Galatasaray, Blackburn Rovers, Galatasaray. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
163 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
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.”
Turkey's all-time leading goalscorer and captain of Galatasaray's historic 2000 UEFA Cup triumph, Şükür scored the fastest goal in World Cup history in 2002.
“A sharp, physically strong striker whose clinical finishing led Galatasaray's rise to continental success.”
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 Cup (2000)
- 1× UEFA Super Cup (2000)
- 6× Süper Lig (1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002)
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.
- 1988 Professional debut for Sakaryaspor
- 2000 Won UEFA Cup with Galatasaray
- 1993 Won Süper Lig with Galatasaray
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Galatasaray
- 2008 Retired after a final spell at Galatasaray
- Finished his career with 320 goals in 600 appearances and 8 major honours. Finished his career with 320 goals in 600 appearances and 8 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Hakan Şükür is the choice: a clear margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Hakan Şükür edges it (a clear margin)
