Franck Ribéry vs Per Mertesacker: Stats Compared
Winger, France (born 1983, retired 2022) · Centre-Back, Germany (born 1984, retired 2018)
Put Franck Ribéry and Per Mertesacker side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Trophies, more than goals, are how most supporters ultimately remember a career. Career output puts Franck Ribéry at 220 goals in 800 games, with Per Mertesacker at 15 in 550. Add playmaking to the mix and Franck Ribéry laid on 250 goals, Per Mertesacker 5. In major honours Franck Ribéry collected 16 — headlined by 9× Bundesliga (2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) — whereas Per Mertesacker amassed 4, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (2014). Franck Ribéry built his medal haul through years of explosive consistency, while Per Mertesacker won his with anticipatory bursts of brilliance. 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 Per Mertesacker reached his defining level around 2014 after spells with Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Arsenal. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
169 words · comparison angle: trophies
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.”
A towering, calm German centre-back nicknamed 'BFG' by Arsenal fans, Mertesacker started every match of Germany's triumphant 2014 World Cup campaign.
“A commanding, positionally intelligent centre-back whose reading of the game compensated for a lack of raw pace.”
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× FIFA World Cup (2014)
- 3× FA Cup (2014, 2015, 2017)
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.
- 2001 Professional debut for Hannover 96
- 2014 Won FIFA World Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Won FA Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Arsenal
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Franck Ribéry the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Franck Ribéry edges it (a decisive margin)
