Franck Ribéry vs David Luiz: Stats Compared
Winger, France (born 1983, retired 2022) · Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023)
Franck Ribéry against David Luiz is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Their textures on the ball are what fans actually remember, and they could hardly be more different. Career output puts Franck Ribéry at 220 goals in 800 games, with David Luiz at 35 in 650. Creativity tells a story too: 250 assists for Franck Ribéry against 25 for David Luiz. The honours ledger favours Franck Ribéry with 16 major trophies (9× Bundesliga (2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)) against David Luiz's 6 (1× UEFA Champions League (2012)). Stylistically Franck Ribéry was mercurial where David Luiz was rugged — two vocabularies of the same sport. The wider career context matters too: Franck Ribéry peaked around 2013 after representing Boulogne, Metz, Galatasaray, Marseille, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, Salernitana, while David Luiz's defining level came around 2013 across Vitória, Benfica, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, Flamengo. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
164 words · comparison angle: style
Player profiles
One of the greatest wingers never to win the Ballon d'Or, Ribéry was the explosive creative force behind Bayern Munich's treble-winning 2013 campaign.
“An explosive, unpredictable dribbler whose acceleration and close control made him one of the most feared wide players in Europe for over a decade.”
An eccentric, unpredictable Brazilian centre-back famed for his wild hairstyles and thunderous free-kicks, David Luiz won trophies across three major European leagues.
“An unorthodox, high-risk centre-back who combined bold attacking instincts and a huge shot with occasionally erratic positioning.”
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
- 9× Bundesliga (2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2013)
- 6× DFB-Pokal (2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2012)
- 2× UEFA Europa League (2013, 2019)
- 2× Premier League (2015, 2017)
- 1× FA Cup (2018)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2000 Professional debut for Boulogne
- 2008 Won Bundesliga with Bayern Munich
- 2010 Won DFB-Pokal with Bayern Munich
- 2013 Reached the peak of his powers at Bayern Munich
- 2022 Retired after a final spell at Salernitana
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 800 appearances and 16 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 800 appearances and 16 major honours.
- 2006 Professional debut for Vitória
- 2012 Won UEFA Champions League with Chelsea
- 2018 Won FA Cup with Chelsea
- 2013 Reached the peak of his powers at Chelsea
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Flamengo
- Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Franck Ribéry edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Franck Ribéry edges it (a decisive margin)
