Ferenc Puskás vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Forward, Hungary (born 1927, retired 1966) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Ferenc Puskás versus Clint Dempsey is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. On production alone, Ferenc Puskás posted 598 goals across 621 appearances while Clint Dempsey managed 180 across 550. 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 Clint Dempsey with 90. Trophy counts give Ferenc Puskás 10 and Clint Dempsey 2, with 3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966) and 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014) the standout honours respectively. Ferenc Puskás scored with a explosive that defined his era, while Clint Dempsey's finishing carried a clinical all of its own. Their routes to the top were distinct: Ferenc Puskás built his reputation across Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid, peaking around 1960, while Clint Dempsey reached his defining level around 2012 after spells with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
182 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.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
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× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
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
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Ferenc Puskás takes it by a decisive margin.
Ferenc Puskás edges it (a decisive margin)
