Arjen Robben vs Teddy Sheringham: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Netherlands (born 1984, retired 2019) · Striker, England (born 1966, retired 2008)
The Arjen Robben–Teddy Sheringham 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. Career output puts Arjen Robben at 246 goals in 614 games, with Teddy Sheringham at 320 in 900. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Arjen Robben is listed at 0 and Teddy Sheringham at 130 where figures survive. Arjen Robben departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2013); Teddy Sheringham with 4, including 1× UEFA Champions League (1999). Arjen Robben belonged to the modern era, dominating with a explosive quality; Teddy Sheringham rose in the 1990s with a flair-driven edge. Their routes to the top were distinct: Arjen Robben built his reputation across PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Groningen, peaking around 2013, while Teddy Sheringham reached his defining level around 1999 after spells with Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, West Ham United, Colchester United. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
191 words · comparison angle: era
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 cerebral, late-developing striker, Sheringham scored the injury-time equaliser in Manchester United's 1999 Champions League final and remains the Premier League's oldest ever goalscorer.
“An intelligent, deep-dropping forward whose clever hold-up play and vision created space for quicker strike partners.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1999)
- 2× Premier League (1999, 2000)
- 1× FA Cup (1999)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2005 Established himself at PSV
- 2009 Reached his defining peak
- 2013 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 1984 Professional debut for Millwall
- 1999 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 1999 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1999 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2008 Retired after a final spell at Colchester United
- Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Arjen Robben takes it by a clear margin.
Arjen Robben edges it (a clear margin)
