Robin van Persie vs Rivelino: Stats Compared
Striker, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2019) · Left Midfielder, Brazil (born 1946, retired 1981)
There is something timeless about weighing Robin van Persie against Rivelino. Goals are the coldest, hardest metric in football, and both players stockedpile them. The raw numbers read 322 goals in 694 outings for Robin van Persie (0.46/game), versus 238 in 624 for Rivelino (0.38/game). Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. Robin van Persie departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× Premier League (2013); Rivelino with 8, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1970). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Robin van Persie clinical, Rivelino dictatorial. The wider career context matters too: Robin van Persie peaked around 2012 after representing Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe, while Rivelino's defining level came around 1970 across Corinthians, Fluminense, Al-Hilal. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
152 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.”
Roberto Rivellino (born 1 January 1946), known mononymously as Rivellino, is a Brazilian football pundit and former player. He was a key member of Brazil’s 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning team and played as an attacking midfielder. He was renowned for his moustache, powerful long-range shooting, accurate passing, close control, dribbling and bending free kicks.
“A left-footed conductor famous for the elastico, fierce shooting and daring switches of play.”
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 (1970)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Feyenoord
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 1962 Established himself at Corinthians
- 1966 Reached his defining peak
- 1970 Delivered a landmark season
- 1981 Retired from professional football
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Robin van Persie takes the verdict — a narrow margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Robin van Persie edges it (a narrow margin)
