Edwin van der Sar vs Rafael van der Vaart: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Netherlands (born 1970, retired 2011) · Attacking Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2018)
There is something timeless about weighing Edwin van der Sar against Rafael van der Vaart. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. By the end Edwin van der Sar had 0 goals from 820 caps and club outings; Rafael van der Vaart had 180 from 600. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Edwin van der Sar is listed at 0 and Rafael van der Vaart at 100 where figures survive. In major honours Edwin van der Sar collected 9 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (2008) — whereas Rafael van der Vaart amassed 2, led by 1× Eredivisie (2002). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Edwin van der Sar reflex-sharp, Rafael van der Vaart dictatorial. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Edwin van der Sar's landmark level arrived around 2008 with a career spanning Ajax, Juventus, Fulham, Manchester United; Rafael van der Vaart's came around 2010 across Ajax, Hamburger SV, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Hamburger SV, Real Betis, FC Midtjylland. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
193 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Edwin van der Sar is a Dutch football executive and former player. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, he was most recently the chief executive of Eredivisie club Ajax. Van der Sar began his senior playing career with Ajax in the early 1990s; he is considered to be a member of the club's golden generation and was part of the team that won the UEFA Champions League in 1995.
“A tall, composed goalkeeper who made difficult saves look quiet and simple.”
A creative, elegant Dutch playmaker known for spectacular long-range volleys, Van der Vaart shone at Ajax, Real Madrid and Tottenham before a stellar return to Hamburg.
“A gifted attacking midfielder with a knack for scoring outrageous long-range strikes and threading incisive final passes.”
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× UEFA Champions League (2008)
- 1× Eredivisie (2002)
- 1× KNVB Cup (2002)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2000 Established himself at Ajax
- 2004 Reached his defining peak
- 2008 Delivered a landmark season
- 2011 Retired from professional football
- 2000 Professional debut for Ajax
- 2002 Won Eredivisie with Ajax
- 2002 Won KNVB Cup with Ajax
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at FC Midtjylland
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 600 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 600 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Edwin van der Sar edges the comparison. The margin is a narrow margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Edwin van der Sar edges it (a narrow margin)
