Robin van Persie vs Edgar Davids: Stats Compared
Striker, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2019) · Defensive Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1973, retired 2011)
Robin van Persie and Edgar Davids represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Beyond the numbers, each man brought a singular aesthetic to the pitch. Across his senior career Robin van Persie notched 322 goals in 694 appearances (0.46 per game), while Edgar Davids recorded 45 in 600 (0.08 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Robin van Persie is listed at 0 and Edgar Davids at 40 where figures survive. Robin van Persie departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× Premier League (2013); Edgar Davids with 4, including 1× UEFA Champions League (1995). Stylistically Robin van Persie was mercurial where Edgar Davids was creative — two vocabularies of the same sport. Club journeys add another layer, with Robin van Persie reaching his representative peak around 2012 across Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe and Edgar Davids doing so around 2000 with Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Internazionale, Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax, Crystal Palace. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
190 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.”
Nicknamed 'The Pitbull' for his relentless tackling, Davids wore his trademark wraparound goggles and was one of the most feared ball-winners in Europe during Juventus's late-1990s dominance.
“An aggressive, tireless ball-winner whose combativeness and surprising technical quality made him a complete midfield destroyer.”
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)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1995)
- 3× Serie A (1998, 2002, 2003)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Feyenoord
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 1991 Professional debut for Ajax
- 1995 Won UEFA Champions League with Ajax
- 1998 Won Serie A with Juventus
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Juventus
- 2011 Retired after a final spell at Crystal Palace
- Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Robin van Persie edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Robin van Persie edges it (a clear margin)
