Dennis Bergkamp vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Second Striker, Netherlands (born 1969, retired 2006) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
Dennis Bergkamp and Raymond Kopa represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Different decades shaped different demands, and both adapted to theirs brilliantly. The raw numbers read 290 goals in 795 outings for Dennis Bergkamp (0.36/game), versus 150 in 450 for Raymond Kopa (0.33/game). Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. Trophy counts give Dennis Bergkamp 10 and Raymond Kopa 5, with 1× UEFA Cup (1992) and 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959) the standout honours respectively. Dennis Bergkamp belonged to the turn of the millennium, dominating with a creative quality; Raymond Kopa rose in the post-war golden age with a explosive edge. Their routes to the top were distinct: Dennis Bergkamp built his reputation across Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal, peaking around 2002, while Raymond Kopa reached his defining level around 1958 after spells with Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
178 words · comparison angle: era
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.”
France's first football superstar and 1958 Ballon d'Or winner, Kopa won three straight European Cups alongside Di Stéfano at Real Madrid before returning to lead Reims.
“A diminutive, dazzling dribbler and creator whose vision and close control made him the conductor of every attack he played in.”
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)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
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
- 1949 Professional debut for Angers
- 1957 Won European Cup with Real Madrid
- 1953 Won Ligue 1 with Reims
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 1967 Retired after a final spell at Reims
- Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Dennis Bergkamp the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Dennis Bergkamp edges it (a decisive margin)
