Gary Lineker vs Djalma Santos: Stats Compared
Striker, England (born 1960, retired 1994) · Right-Back, Brazil (born 1929, retired 1968)
Gary Lineker and Djalma Santos represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. On production alone, Gary Lineker posted 330 goals across 567 appearances while Djalma Santos managed 15 across 650. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. In major honours Gary Lineker collected 9 — headlined by 1× Copa del Rey (1988) — whereas Djalma Santos amassed 4, led by 2× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962). Gary Lineker scored with a predatory that defined his era, while Djalma Santos's finishing carried a rugged all of its own. The wider career context matters too: Gary Lineker peaked around 1986 after representing Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham, while Djalma Santos's defining level came around 1958 across Portuguesa, Palmeiras. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
168 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
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.”
A two-time World Cup winner who played until he was nearly 38, Djalma Santos was renowned for his positional discipline and elegant overlapping runs down the right flank.
“A composed, technically excellent full-back whose overlapping runs and crossing were decades ahead of his position's usual demands.”
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× Copa del Rey (1988)
- 2× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962)
- 2× Campeonato Paulista (1959, 1963)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1978 Established himself at Leicester City
- 1982 Reached his defining peak
- 1986 Delivered a landmark season
- 1994 Retired from professional football
- 1947 Professional debut for Portuguesa
- 1958 Won FIFA World Cup with Portuguesa
- 1959 Won Campeonato Paulista with Portuguesa
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Portuguesa
- 1968 Retired after a final spell at Palmeiras
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Gary Lineker the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Gary Lineker edges it (a clear margin)
