Dennis Bergkamp vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Second Striker, Netherlands (born 1969, retired 2006) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
Put Dennis Bergkamp and Elías Figueroa side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Reputations harden into legacies, and few careers cast longer shadows than these two. Career output puts Dennis Bergkamp at 290 goals in 795 games, with Elías Figueroa at 40 in 600. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Dennis Bergkamp departs the game with 10 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Cup (1992); Elías Figueroa with 5, including 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968). Their legacies diverge in texture: Dennis Bergkamp is remembered as silky, Elías Figueroa as commanding. Club journeys add another layer, with Dennis Bergkamp reaching his representative peak around 2002 across Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal and Elías Figueroa doing so around 1974 with Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
158 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
Dutch forward and Arsenal icon renowned for his technical brilliance; three-time Premier League winner with the Gunners.
“A statuesque second striker whose first touch and vision created beauty wherever he played.”
A three-time South American Footballer of the Year, Figueroa is widely considered the finest defender the continent has produced, marshalling Internacional's dominant 1970s side.
“An imperious, elegant centre-back who combined aerial dominance with composed distribution well ahead of his era.”
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 Cup (1992)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1987)
- 1× Eredivisie (1990)
- 3× Premier League (1998, 2002, 2004)
- 4× FA Cup (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005)
- 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Ajax debut
- 1990 Won the Eredivisie with Ajax
- 1993 Joined Inter Milan in an unhappy spell
- 1998 Scored iconic World Cup goal against Argentina
- 2002 Won the Premier League and FA Cup double
- 2004 Part of Arsenal's Invincibles season
- 2006 Final Emirates Stadium farewell
- 1965 Professional debut for Santiago Wanderers
- 1967 Won Uruguayan Primera División with Peñarol
- 1973 Won Campeonato Gaúcho with Internacional
- 1974 Reached the peak of his powers at Internacional
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Dennis Bergkamp takes it by a decisive margin.
Dennis Bergkamp edges it (a decisive margin)
