Robin van Persie vs Djalma Santos: Stats Compared
Striker, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2019) · Right-Back, Brazil (born 1929, retired 1968)
Comparing Robin van Persie with Djalma Santos means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. Career output puts Robin van Persie at 322 goals in 694 games, with Djalma Santos at 15 in 650. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. Robin van Persie departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× Premier League (2013); Djalma Santos with 4, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Robin van Persie ruthless, Djalma Santos uncompromising. 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; Djalma Santos's came around 1958 across Portuguesa, Palmeiras. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
153 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
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.”
A two-time World Cup winner who played until he was nearly 38, Djalma Santos was renowned for his positional discipline and elegant overlapping runs down the right flank.
“A composed, technically excellent full-back whose overlapping runs and crossing were decades ahead of his position's usual demands.”
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)
- 2× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962)
- 2× Campeonato Paulista (1959, 1963)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Feyenoord
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 1947 Professional debut for Portuguesa
- 1958 Won FIFA World Cup with Portuguesa
- 1959 Won Campeonato Paulista with Portuguesa
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Portuguesa
- 1968 Retired after a final spell at Palmeiras
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Robin van Persie edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Robin van Persie edges it (a decisive margin)
