Robin van Persie vs Predrag Mijatović: Stats Compared
Striker, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2019) · Striker, Yugoslavia (born 1969, retired 2004)
Few debates split football fans quite like Robin van Persie versus Predrag Mijatović. 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 Predrag Mijatović recorded 210 in 500 (0.42 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 Predrag Mijatović at 30 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Robin van Persie 9 and Predrag Mijatović 2, with 1× Premier League (2013) and 1× UEFA Champions League (1998) the standout honours respectively. Robin van Persie scored with a explosive that defined his era, while Predrag Mijatović's finishing carried a flair-driven all of its 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; Predrag Mijatović's came around 1998 across Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
181 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.”
Mijatović's decisive winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final ended Real Madrid's 32-year wait for the European Cup and remains one of the club's most iconic moments.
“A clever, mobile striker whose intelligent runs in behind and composed finishing produced goals in the biggest moments.”
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 (1998)
- 1× La Liga (1997)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Feyenoord
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 1986 Professional debut for Budućnost Podgorica
- 1998 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 1997 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Levante
- Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 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)
