Sergio Agüero vs Gary Lineker: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1988, retired 2021) · Striker, England (born 1960, retired 1994)
Sergio Agüero versus Gary Lineker is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. It is in how they played, rather than what they won, that the comparison gets interesting. By the end Sergio Agüero had 427 goals from 700 caps and club outings; Gary Lineker had 330 from 567. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Sergio Agüero is credited with 110 and Gary Lineker with 0. In major honours Sergio Agüero collected 10 — headlined by 5× Premier League (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021) — whereas Gary Lineker amassed 9, led by 1× Copa del Rey (1988). Stylistically Sergio Agüero was ruthless where Gary Lineker was mercurial — two vocabularies of the same sport. The wider career context matters too: Sergio Agüero peaked around 2014 after representing Independiente, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona, while Gary Lineker's defining level came around 1986 across Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
175 words · comparison angle: style
Player profiles
A clinical, ice-cool Argentine striker who scored Manchester City's most dramatic title-winning goal and became the club's all-time top scorer.
“A low, powerful, instinctive finisher with explosive acceleration in the box and a knack for the biggest moments.”
Gary Winston Lineker (born 30 November 1960) is an English sports broadcaster, businessman, and former professional footballer who played as a striker. Regarded as one of the best players of his generation and one of England's greatest players, Lineker is the only player to have been the top goalscorer in England with three clubs: Leicester City, Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur. He also played for Barcelona in Spain, and won 80 caps for England.
“A model penalty-box striker whose timing and finishing were almost never wasted.”
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 (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021)
- 1× UEFA Europa League (2010)
- 4× League Cup (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020)
- 1× Copa del Rey (1988)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2003 Professional debut for Independiente
- 2012 Won Premier League with Manchester City
- 2014 Won League Cup with Manchester City
- 2014 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester City
- 2021 Retired after a final spell at Barcelona
- Finished his career with 427 goals in 700 appearances and 10 major honours. Finished his career with 427 goals in 700 appearances and 10 major honours.
- 1978 Established himself at Leicester City
- 1982 Reached his defining peak
- 1986 Delivered a landmark season
- 1994 Retired from professional football
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Sergio Agüero takes it by a clear margin.
Sergio Agüero edges it (a clear margin)
