Robin van Persie vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Striker, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2019) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
The Robin van Persie–Teófilo Cubillas comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Their textures on the ball are what fans actually remember, and they could hardly be more different. Career output puts Robin van Persie at 322 goals in 694 games, with Teófilo Cubillas at 220 in 500. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. Trophy counts give Robin van Persie 9 and Teófilo Cubillas 4, with 1× Premier League (2013) and 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978) the standout honours respectively. Robin van Persie played with a clinical that made him unmistakable; Teófilo Cubillas brought a creative that was equally his own. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Robin van Persie's landmark level arrived around 2012 with a career spanning Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe; Teófilo Cubillas's came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
178 words · comparison angle: style
Player profiles
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.”
Peru's greatest ever player, Cubillas remains the only man to score five goals across two separate World Cups, inspiring Peru's celebrated 1978 side.
“A quick, two-footed attacking midfielder renowned for a ferocious long-range shot and clever dribbling in tight spaces.”
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× Premier League (2013)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Feyenoord
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 1966 Professional debut for Alianza Lima
- 1967 Won Peruvian Primera División with Alianza Lima
- 1978 Reached the peak of his powers at Alianza Lima
- 1989 Retired after a final spell at Alianza Lima
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Robin van Persie wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of a sharper goalscoring record.
Robin van Persie edges it (a decisive margin)
