Park Ji-sung vs Ivan Rakitić: Stats Compared
Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014) · Central Midfielder, Croatia (born 1988, retired 2023)
Line up Park Ji-sung next to Ivan Rakitić and the contrasts come quickly. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. Across his senior career Park Ji-sung notched 60 goals in 550 appearances (0.11 per game), while Ivan Rakitić recorded 90 in 700 (0.13 per game). The assist columns read 60 for Park Ji-sung and 90 for Ivan Rakitić where the record exists. In major honours Park Ji-sung collected 5 — headlined by 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011) — whereas Ivan Rakitić amassed 6, led by 1× UEFA Champions League (2015). One lifted trophies through incisive reliability, the other through silky moments that decided finals. The wider career context matters too: Park Ji-sung peaked around 2008 after representing Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers, while Ivan Rakitić's defining level came around 2015 across Basel, Schalke 04, Sevilla, Barcelona, Sevilla, Hajduk Split. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
167 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
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.”
A key architect of Barcelona's 2015 treble and Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup final, Rakitić combined tireless work rate with excellent passing range.
“A tireless, technically composed box-to-box midfielder whose range of passing linked defence and attack seamlessly.”
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
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2015)
- 1× UEFA Europa League (2014)
- 4× La Liga (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 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.
- 2005 Professional debut for Basel
- 2015 Won UEFA Champions League with Barcelona
- 2015 Won La Liga with Barcelona
- 2015 Reached the peak of his powers at Barcelona
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Hajduk Split
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Ivan Rakitić wins out by a clear margin on the weight of a stronger all-round attribute profile.
Ivan Rakitić edges it (a clear margin)
