Fernando Redondo vs Lilian Thuram: Stats Compared
Defensive Midfielder, Argentina (born 1969, retired 2004) · Centre-Back / Right-Back, France (born 1972, retired 2008)
The Fernando Redondo–Lilian Thuram comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. By the end Fernando Redondo had 30 goals from 450 caps and club outings; Lilian Thuram had 14 from 681. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Fernando Redondo is listed at 60 and Lilian Thuram at 0 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Fernando Redondo with 5 major trophies (2× La Liga (1995, 1997)) against Lilian Thuram's 8 (1× FIFA World Cup (1998)). As a defensive midfielder Fernando Redondo bent the role to a incisive template; as a centre-back / right-back, Lilian Thuram redefined it with resolute authority. The wider career context matters too: Fernando Redondo peaked around 1998 after representing Argentinos Juniors, Real Madrid, AC Milan, while Lilian Thuram's defining level came around 1998 across Monaco, Parma, Juventus, Barcelona. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
169 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
A supremely elegant defensive midfielder famed for his flowing hair and a single backheel that became one of the sport's most replayed pieces of skill.
“An elegant, deep-lying playmaker who shielded the defence while dictating play with effortless long passing.”
French defender who played a record 142 times for France; scorer of two goals in the 1998 World Cup semifinal.
“A robust, intelligent defender equally adept at right-back and centre-back, with surprising scoring instincts in big games.”
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
- 2× La Liga (1995, 1997)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000)
- 1× Intercontinental Cup (1998)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 1× FIFA Confederations Cup (2003)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1999)
- 2× Serie A (2002, 2003)
- 2× Supercoppa Italiana (2002, 2003)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1987 Professional debut for Argentinos Juniors
- 1995 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Won Intercontinental Cup with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at AC Milan
- Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
- 1991 Monaco debut
- 1996 Joined Parma
- 1998 World Cup winner, scored twice in the semi-final against Croatia
- 2000 Euro winner with France
- 2001 Joined Juventus for a world-record defender fee
- 2006 Signed for Barcelona
- 2008 Retired after Euro 2008
The verdict
If forced to pick, Lilian Thuram is the choice: a clear margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Lilian Thuram edges it (a clear margin)
