Gary Lineker vs Emmanuel Petit: Stats Compared
Striker, England (born 1960, retired 1994) · Defensive Midfielder, France (born 1970, retired 2004)
Comparing Gary Lineker with Emmanuel Petit means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. By the end Gary Lineker had 330 goals from 567 caps and club outings; Emmanuel Petit had 45 from 500. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Gary Lineker is listed at 0 and Emmanuel Petit at 40 where figures survive. In major honours Gary Lineker collected 9 — headlined by 1× Copa del Rey (1988) — whereas Emmanuel Petit amassed 4, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (1998). As a striker Gary Lineker bent the role to a clinical template; as a defensive midfielder, Emmanuel Petit redefined it with intelligent authority. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Gary Lineker's landmark level arrived around 1986 with a career spanning Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham; Emmanuel Petit's came around 1998 across Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
173 words · comparison angle: role
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.”
Scorer of France's third goal in the 1998 World Cup final, Petit was a versatile, combative midfielder who completed the Premier League and FA Cup double with Arsenal that same year.
“A tall, technically sound midfielder capable of playing centre-back or holding midfield with equal composure.”
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× Premier League (1998)
- 1× FA 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
- 1988 Professional debut for Monaco
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Arsenal
- 1998 Won FA Cup with Arsenal
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Chelsea
- Finished his career with 45 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 45 goals in 500 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)
