Ferenc Puskás vs Edgar Davids: Stats Compared
Forward, Hungary (born 1927, retired 1966) · Defensive Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1973, retired 2011)
Comparing Ferenc Puskás with Edgar Davids means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. Career output puts Ferenc Puskás at 598 goals in 621 games, with Edgar Davids at 45 in 600. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Ferenc Puskás is credited with 0 and Edgar Davids with 40. The honours ledger favours Ferenc Puskás with 10 major trophies (3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966)) against Edgar Davids's 4 (1× UEFA Champions League (1995)). Where Ferenc Puskás was a explosive presence in the box, Edgar Davids offered a silky approach to goalscoring. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Ferenc Puskás's landmark level arrived around 1960 with a career spanning Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid; Edgar Davids's came around 2000 across Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Internazionale, Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax, Crystal Palace. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
180 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Hungarian legend of the Magical Magyats and a Real Madrid galáctico; scorer of 84 goals in 85 games for Hungary.
“A barrel-chested left-footed finisher whose deadly striking powered Hungary's Golden Team.”
Nicknamed 'The Pitbull' for his relentless tackling, Davids wore his trademark wraparound goggles and was one of the most feared ball-winners in Europe during Juventus's late-1990s dominance.
“An aggressive, tireless ball-winner whose combativeness and surprising technical quality made him a complete midfield destroyer.”
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
- 3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966)
- 5× La Liga
- 1× Olympic Gold Medal (1952)
- 1× Central European Cup (1953)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1995)
- 3× Serie A (1998, 2002, 2003)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1943 Budapest Honvéd debut
- 1952 Olympic champion with Hungary
- 1953 Scored twice in the 6-3 win over England at Wembley
- 1956 Fled the Hungarian Revolution
- 1958 Joined Real Madrid
- 1960 Scored four goals in the European Cup final
- 1966 Retired from playing
- 1991 Professional debut for Ajax
- 1995 Won UEFA Champions League with Ajax
- 1998 Won Serie A with Juventus
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Juventus
- 2011 Retired after a final spell at Crystal Palace
- Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Ferenc Puskás edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Ferenc Puskás edges it (a decisive margin)
