Arjen Robben vs Bixente Lizarazu: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Netherlands (born 1984, retired 2019) · Left-Back, France (born 1969, retired 2006)
The Arjen Robben–Bixente Lizarazu comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Goals are the coldest, hardest metric in football, and both players stockedpile them. Career output puts Arjen Robben at 246 goals in 614 games, with Bixente Lizarazu at 15 in 600. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Arjen Robben is credited with 0 and Bixente Lizarazu with 30. Trophy counts give Arjen Robben 9 and Bixente Lizarazu 7, with 1× UEFA Champions League (2013) and 1× FIFA World Cup (1998) the standout honours respectively. Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Arjen Robben clinical, Bixente Lizarazu elegant. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Arjen Robben's landmark level arrived around 2013 with a career spanning PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Groningen; Bixente Lizarazu's came around 2001 across Bordeaux, Athletic Bilbao, Bayern Munich, Marseille. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
162 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Arjen Robben is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger. Known for his dribbling skills, speed, and long-range shots, he is regarded as one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest wingers of all time. He ranks second for the all-time Dutch top goalscorers (32) in the UEFA Champions League and is the all-time Dutch top assist provider (19) in the competition.
“A devastating inverted winger whose cut inside and left-foot finish became a signature.”
A world judo champion off the pitch, Lizarazu was one of the finest left-backs of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League with Bayern Munich.
“A compact, combative full-back whose low centre of gravity and stamina let him bomb up and down the flank all match.”
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× UEFA Champions League (2013)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 4× Bundesliga (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2001)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2005 Established himself at PSV
- 2009 Reached his defining peak
- 2013 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 1988 Professional debut for Bordeaux
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Bayern Munich
- 2001 Won UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Bayern Munich
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Marseille
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Arjen Robben edges the comparison. The margin is a narrow margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Arjen Robben edges it (a narrow margin)
