Robin van Persie vs Bixente Lizarazu: Stats Compared
Striker, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2019) · Left-Back, France (born 1969, retired 2006)
Robin van Persie against Bixente Lizarazu is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Goals are the coldest, hardest metric in football, and both players stockedpile them. Across his senior career Robin van Persie notched 322 goals in 694 appearances (0.46 per game), while Bixente Lizarazu recorded 15 in 600 (0.03 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 Bixente Lizarazu at 30 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Robin van Persie with 9 major trophies (1× Premier League (2013)) against Bixente Lizarazu's 7 (1× FIFA World Cup (1998)). Where Robin van Persie was a explosive presence in the box, Bixente Lizarazu offered a uncompromising approach to goalscoring. The wider career context matters too: Robin van Persie peaked around 2012 after representing Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe, while Bixente Lizarazu's defining level came around 2001 across Bordeaux, Athletic Bilbao, Bayern Munich, Marseille. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
175 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 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× Premier 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
- 2004 Established himself at Feyenoord
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 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
Weighing production against honours, Robin van Persie takes the verdict — a clear margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Robin van Persie edges it (a clear margin)
