Gary Lineker vs Youri Djorkaeff: Stats Compared
Striker, England (born 1960, retired 1994) · Attacking Midfielder, France (born 1968, retired 2006)
Comparing Gary Lineker with Youri Djorkaeff means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Different decades shaped different demands, and both adapted to theirs brilliantly. The raw numbers read 330 goals in 567 outings for Gary Lineker (0.58/game), versus 200 in 600 for Youri Djorkaeff (0.33/game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Gary Lineker is listed at 0 and Youri Djorkaeff at 90 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Gary Lineker 9 and Youri Djorkaeff 3, with 1× Copa del Rey (1988) and 1× FIFA World Cup (1998) the standout honours respectively. Across the 1980s and the 1990s respectively, their ruthless and creative styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Club journeys add another layer, with Gary Lineker reaching his representative peak around 1986 across Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham and Youri Djorkaeff doing so around 1998 with Grenoble, Strasbourg, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Kaiserslautern, Bolton Wanderers, New York MetroStars. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
179 words · comparison angle: era
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 stylish, powerful-shooting French playmaker, Djorkaeff scored crucial goals throughout France's 1998 World Cup triumph and starred for club sides across three countries.
“A creative attacking midfielder blessed with an unusually powerful shot and clever vision in tight areas.”
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)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1998)
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
- 1986 Professional debut for Grenoble
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Inter Milan
- 1998 Won UEFA Cup with Inter Milan
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Inter Milan
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at New York MetroStars
- Finished his career with 200 goals in 600 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 200 goals in 600 appearances and 3 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Gary Lineker the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Gary Lineker edges it (a decisive margin)
