Nemanja Vidić vs Diego Forlán: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Serbia (born 1981, retired 2016) · Striker, Uruguay (born 1979, retired 2019)
Comparing Nemanja Vidić with Diego Forlán means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. Across his senior career Nemanja Vidić notched 29 goals in 518 appearances (0.06 per game), while Diego Forlán recorded 315 in 650 (0.48 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Nemanja Vidić is listed at 0 and Diego Forlán at 90 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Nemanja Vidić 8 and Diego Forlán 3, with 5× Premier League (2007–2013) and 2× UEFA Europa League (2010, 2012) the standout honours respectively. Nemanja Vidić built his medal haul through years of anticipatory consistency, while Diego Forlán won his with mercurial bursts of brilliance. The wider career context matters too: Nemanja Vidić peaked around 2009 after representing Red Star Belgrade, Spartak Moscow, Manchester United, Inter, while Diego Forlán's defining level came around 2010 across Independiente, Manchester United, Villarreal, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Internacional, Cerezo Osaka, Peñarol. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
187 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Widely considered as one of the greatest defenders of all time, Vidić is best known for his time at Manchester United, where he won 15 trophies and served as club captain. He is one of only five players to win the Premier League Player of the Season award twice, alongside Thierry Henry, Kevin De Bruyne, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah.
“A fearless centre-back who dominated the air and treated every duel as a personal contest.”
Winner of the Golden Ball as the standout player of the 2010 World Cup, Forlán was a prolific, two-footed striker who twice won the European Golden Shoe.
“A tireless, two-footed striker whose work rate and clean striking technique made him a nightmare for defenders in behind.”
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
- 5× Premier League (2007–2013)
- 2× UEFA Europa League (2010, 2012)
- 1× UEFA Super Cup (2010)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2001 Established himself at Red Star Belgrade
- 2005 Reached his defining peak
- 2009 Delivered a landmark season
- 2016 Retired from professional football
- 2001 Professional debut for Independiente
- 2010 Won UEFA Europa League with Atlético Madrid
- 2010 Won UEFA Super Cup with Atlético Madrid
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at Atlético Madrid
- 2019 Retired after a final spell at Peñarol
- Finished his career with 315 goals in 650 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 315 goals in 650 appearances and 3 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Nemanja Vidić takes it by a narrow margin.
Nemanja Vidić edges it (a narrow margin)
