Mesut Özil vs Franco Baresi: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Germany (born 1988, retired 2023) · Sweeper / Centre-Back, Italy (born 1960, retired 1997)
Mesut Özil versus Franco Baresi is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. Across his senior career Mesut Özil notched 114 goals in 645 appearances (0.18 per game), while Franco Baresi recorded 19 in 800 (0.02 per game). Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Trophy counts give Mesut Özil 8 and Franco Baresi 18, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2014) and 3× European Cup (1989, 1990, 1994) the standout honours respectively. Mesut Özil scored with a creative that defined his era, while Franco Baresi's finishing carried a uncompromising all of its own. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Mesut Özil's landmark level arrived around 2012 with a career spanning Schalke, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fenerbahçe; Franco Baresi's came around 1989 across AC Milan. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
171 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Mesut Özil is a German former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Known for his ball control, technical skills, creativity, passing skills, and vision, he is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation. Born and raised in Gelsenkirchen, Özil began his senior club career playing for hometown club Schalke 04, before signing with Werder Bremen in 2008, aged 19.
“A left-footed chance creator whose weight of pass and scanning made assists look effortless.”
AC Milan icon who spent his entire 20-year career at the club; three-time European Cup winner and 1994 World Cup finalist with Italy.
“A peerless sweeper whose reading, tackling and leadership built a defensive dynasty at Milan.”
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)
- 3× European Cup (1989, 1990, 1994)
- 6× Serie A (1979, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996)
- 4× Supercoppa Italiana
- 3× UEFA Super Cup
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (1989, 1990)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Schalke
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 1977 AC Milan debut aged 17
- 1979 First Scudetto with Milan
- 1980 Stayed at Milan in Serie B after the betting scandal
- 1989 First European Cup with Milan
- 1994 Won the Champions League conceding just 15 goals in 30 league games
- 1997 Retired aged 37 with the number 6 shirt retired in his honour
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Franco Baresi takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Franco Baresi edges it (a decisive margin)
