Mesut Özil vs Teddy Sheringham: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Germany (born 1988, retired 2023) · Striker, England (born 1966, retired 2008)
Mesut Özil and Teddy Sheringham 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. Mesut Özil finishes with 114 career goals from 645 games — a 0.18 strike rate — against Teddy Sheringham's 320 from 900 at 0.36 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Mesut Özil is listed at 0 and Teddy Sheringham at 130 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Mesut Özil with 8 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2014)) against Teddy Sheringham's 4 (1× UEFA Champions League (1999)). Mesut Özil belonged to the modern era, dominating with a silky quality; Teddy Sheringham rose in the 1990s with a mercurial edge. The wider career context matters too: Mesut Özil peaked around 2012 after representing Schalke, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fenerbahçe, while Teddy Sheringham's defining level came around 1999 across Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, West Ham United, Colchester United. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
198 words · comparison angle: era
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.”
A cerebral, late-developing striker, Sheringham scored the injury-time equaliser in Manchester United's 1999 Champions League final and remains the Premier League's oldest ever goalscorer.
“An intelligent, deep-dropping forward whose clever hold-up play and vision created space for quicker strike partners.”
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 (1999)
- 2× Premier League (1999, 2000)
- 1× FA Cup (1999)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Schalke
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 1984 Professional debut for Millwall
- 1999 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 1999 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1999 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2008 Retired after a final spell at Colchester United
- Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Mesut Özil takes it by a decisive margin.
Mesut Özil edges it (a decisive margin)
