Robin van Persie vs Davor Šuker: Stats Compared
Striker, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2019) · Striker, Croatia (born 1968, retired 2003)
Robin van Persie against Davor Šuker is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. Robin van Persie finishes with 322 career goals from 694 games — a 0.46 strike rate — against Davor Šuker's 273 from 526 at 0.52 per match. 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); Davor Šuker with 8, including 1× UEFA Champions League (1998). The striker duties of Robin van Persie leaned explosive; the striker responsibilities of Davor Šuker leaned clinical. Club journeys add another layer, with Robin van Persie reaching his representative peak around 2012 across Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe and Davor Šuker doing so around 1998 with Osijek, Sevilla, Real Madrid, Arsenal, West Ham. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
179 words · comparison angle: role
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.”
Davor Šuker is a Croatian football administrator and former professional player who played as a striker. He served as the president of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) from 2012 to 2021. Šuker is generally regarded as the greatest Croatian striker of all time with a record 45 goals in 68 matches.
“A left-footed finisher with delicate touch, clever movement and a taste for spectacular goals.”
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)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Feyenoord
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 1990 Established himself at Osijek
- 1994 Reached his defining peak
- 1998 Delivered a landmark season
- 2003 Retired from professional football
The verdict
If forced to pick, Robin van Persie is the choice: a clear margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Robin van Persie edges it (a clear margin)
