Carlos Tevez vs Per Mertesacker: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1984, retired 2021) · Centre-Back, Germany (born 1984, retired 2018)
Carlos Tevez versus Per Mertesacker is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. Across his senior career Carlos Tevez notched 280 goals in 700 appearances (0.40 per game), while Per Mertesacker recorded 15 in 550 (0.03 per game). Creativity tells a story too: 90 assists for Carlos Tevez against 5 for Per Mertesacker. In major honours Carlos Tevez collected 5 — headlined by 1× Premier League (2012) — whereas Per Mertesacker amassed 4, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (2014). Where Carlos Tevez was a ruthless presence in the box, Per Mertesacker offered a resolute approach to goalscoring. Club journeys add another layer, with Carlos Tevez reaching his representative peak around 2011 across Boca Juniors, Corinthians, West Ham United, Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, Boca Juniors, Shanghai Shenhua, Boca Juniors and Per Mertesacker doing so around 2014 with Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Arsenal. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
174 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
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.”
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
- 1× Premier League (2012)
- 2× Serie A (2014, 2015)
- 1× Copa Libertadores (2003)
- 1× Argentine Primera División (2003)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2014)
- 3× FA Cup (2014, 2015, 2017)
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 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
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Carlos Tevez takes it by a decisive margin.
Carlos Tevez edges it (a decisive margin)
