Carlos Tevez vs Landon Donovan: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1984, retired 2021) · Forward, United States (born 1982, retired 2016)
Few debates split football fans quite like Carlos Tevez versus Landon Donovan. Strip away the highlights and the medal count tells its own story for each man. By the end Carlos Tevez had 280 goals from 700 caps and club outings; Landon Donovan had 190 from 550. In chance creation, Carlos Tevez tallied 90 assists to Landon Donovan's 145. The honours ledger favours Carlos Tevez with 5 major trophies (1× Premier League (2012)) against Landon Donovan's 9 (6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014)). One lifted trophies through ruthless reliability, the other through explosive moments that decided finals. The wider career context matters too: Carlos Tevez peaked around 2011 after representing Boca Juniors, Corinthians, West Ham United, Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, Boca Juniors, Shanghai Shenhua, Boca Juniors, while Landon Donovan's defining level came around 2010 across San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, LA Galaxy. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
159 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
A tenacious, street-smart Argentine striker known as 'El Apache', beloved for his relentless work rate and hunger for goals.
“A combative, low-centre-of-gravity forward who pressed relentlessly and thrived on scrappy, instinctive finishes.”
The USA's all-time leading scorer for club and country until his retirement, Donovan was the face of American soccer through three World Cups, capped by his dramatic stoppage-time winner against Algeria in 2010.
“A quick, clever forward whose intelligent movement and clinical finishing made him the USA's most decorated attacking player.”
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
- 1× Premier League (2012)
- 2× Serie A (2014, 2015)
- 1× Copa Libertadores (2003)
- 1× Argentine Primera División (2003)
- 6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014)
- 3× CONCACAF Gold Cup (2002, 2005, 2007)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2001 Professional debut for Boca Juniors
- 2012 Won Premier League with Manchester City
- 2003 Won Argentine Primera División with Boca Juniors
- 2011 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester City
- 2021 Retired after a final spell at Boca Juniors
- Finished his career with 280 goals in 700 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 280 goals in 700 appearances and 5 major honours.
- 2001 Professional debut for San Jose Earthquakes
- 2001 Won MLS Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2002 Won CONCACAF Gold Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at LA Galaxy
- 2016 Retired after a final spell at LA Galaxy
- Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 major honours. Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Carlos Tevez edges the comparison. The margin is a narrow margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Carlos Tevez edges it (a narrow margin)
