Nemanja Vidić vs Paul Gascoigne: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Serbia (born 1981, retired 2016) · Attacking Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2004)
Ask any fan to rank Nemanja Vidić above or below Paul Gascoigne and you will get a passionate answer. Style separates them as much as statistics: two players, two unmistakable signatures. Nemanja Vidić finishes with 29 career goals from 518 games — a 0.06 strike rate — against Paul Gascoigne's 130 from 620 at 0.21 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Nemanja Vidić is listed at 0 and Paul Gascoigne at 90 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Nemanja Vidić 8 and Paul Gascoigne 6, with 5× Premier League (2007–2013) and 1× FA Cup (1991) the standout honours respectively. Nemanja Vidić played with a elegant that made him unmistakable; Paul Gascoigne brought a incisive that was equally his own. Their routes to the top were distinct: Nemanja Vidić built his reputation across Red Star Belgrade, Spartak Moscow, Manchester United, Inter, peaking around 2009, while Paul Gascoigne reached his defining level around 1990 after spells with Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton, Burnley, Boston United. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
194 words · comparison angle: style
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.”
A supremely gifted but troubled English playmaker, Gascoigne's tears and brilliance at Italia '90 made him a national icon before injuries and off-field struggles curtailed his career.
“A powerful, technically brilliant attacking midfielder who combined trickery and physical strength with moments of match-winning genius.”
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)
- 1× FA Cup (1991)
- 3× Scottish Premier Division (1996, 1997, 1999)
- 2× Scottish League Cup (1997, 1999)
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
- 1985 Professional debut for Newcastle United
- 1991 Won FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur
- 1997 Won Scottish League Cup with Rangers
- 1990 Reached the peak of his powers at Tottenham Hotspur
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Boston United
- Finished his career with 130 goals in 620 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 130 goals in 620 appearances and 6 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production, silverware and profile, the two finish within a whisker of each other. Call it a respectful draw — greatness of this calibre resists a single winner.
Too close to call — a respectful draw
