Gary Lineker vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Striker, England (born 1960, retired 1994) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
Comparing Gary Lineker with Raymond Kopa means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. The raw numbers read 330 goals in 567 outings for Gary Lineker (0.58/game), versus 150 in 450 for Raymond Kopa (0.33/game). Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. In major honours Gary Lineker collected 9 — headlined by 1× Copa del Rey (1988) — whereas Raymond Kopa amassed 5, led by 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959). Their legacies diverge in texture: Gary Lineker is remembered as flair-driven, Raymond Kopa as explosive. Their routes to the top were distinct: Gary Lineker built his reputation across Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham, peaking around 1986, while Raymond Kopa reached his defining level around 1958 after spells with Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
169 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
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× Copa del Rey (1988)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
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
- 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
On balance Gary Lineker edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Gary Lineker edges it (a decisive margin)
