Gary Lineker vs Robin van Persie: Stats Compared
Striker, England (born 1960, retired 1994) · Striker, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2019)
The Gary Lineker–Robin van Persie comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. They belonged to different eras, which makes any direct comparison a test of imagination as much as statistics. The raw numbers read 330 goals in 567 outings for Gary Lineker (0.58/game), versus 322 in 694 for Robin van Persie (0.46/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 Robin van Persie amassed 9, led by 1× Premier League (2013). Gary Lineker belonged to the 1980s, dominating with a flair-driven quality; Robin van Persie rose in the modern era with a predatory edge. Club journeys add another layer, with Gary Lineker reaching his representative peak around 1986 across Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham and Robin van Persie doing so around 2012 with Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
176 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.”
Robin van Persie is a Dutch football coach and former professional footballer. He last served as the head coach of Eredivisie club Feyenoord. He is regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation and was known for his technique, ball control, and vision.
“A left-footed artist whose volleys, movement and aerial technique made difficult finishes routine.”
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× Premier League (2013)
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
- 2004 Established himself at Feyenoord
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
The verdict
The numbers give Robin van Persie the lead — a narrow margin, courtesy of remarkable longevity.
Robin van Persie edges it (a narrow margin)
