Franck Ribéry vs Edgar Davids: Stats Compared
Winger, France (born 1983, retired 2022) · Defensive Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1973, retired 2011)
Set Franck Ribéry alongside Edgar Davids and the numbers start an argument of their own. Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. Career output puts Franck Ribéry at 220 goals in 800 games, with Edgar Davids at 45 in 600. The assist columns read 250 for Franck Ribéry and 40 for Edgar Davids where the record exists. Franck Ribéry departs the game with 16 major pieces of silverware, including 9× Bundesliga (2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019); Edgar Davids with 4, including 1× UEFA Champions League (1995). Where Franck Ribéry was a flair-driven presence in the box, Edgar Davids offered a creative approach to goalscoring. Their routes to the top were distinct: Franck Ribéry built his reputation across Boulogne, Metz, Galatasaray, Marseille, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, Salernitana, peaking around 2013, while Edgar Davids reached his defining level around 2000 after spells with Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Internazionale, Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax, Crystal Palace. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
176 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
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.”
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
- 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 (1995)
- 3× Serie A (1998, 2002, 2003)
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.
- 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
If forced to pick, Franck Ribéry is the choice: a decisive margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Franck Ribéry edges it (a decisive margin)
