George Best vs Robin van Persie: Stats Compared
Winger / Forward, Northern Ireland (born 1946, retired 1984) · Striker, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2019)
When George Best and Robin van Persie are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. The raw numbers read 214 goals in 616 outings for George Best (0.35/game), versus 322 in 694 for Robin van Persie (0.46/game). Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. In major honours George Best collected 5 — headlined by 1× European Cup (1968) — whereas Robin van Persie amassed 9, led by 1× Premier League (2013). Where George Best was a ruthless presence in the box, Robin van Persie offered a predatory approach to goalscoring. Club journeys add another layer, with George Best reaching his representative peak around 1968 across Manchester United, Fulham, others and Robin van Persie doing so around 2012 with Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
171 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Northern Irish winger and Manchester United icon; Ballon d'Or winner in 1968 after helping Manchester United win their first European Cup.
“A balance-perfect winger who combined dribbling flair with an eye for goal and a rock-star aura.”
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.”
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× European Cup (1968)
- 2× English First Division (1965, 1967)
- 2× FA Charity Shield (1965, 1967)
- 1× Premier League (2013)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1963 Manchester United debut aged 17
- 1965 First English First Division title
- 1968 European Cup winner and Ballon d'Or winner
- 1968 Joint top scorer in the First Division
- 1972 Brief retirement then return to Manchester United
- 1974 Left Manchester United
- 1984 Made final professional appearances in the United States
- 2004 Established himself at Feyenoord
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Robin van Persie takes it by a narrow margin.
Robin van Persie edges it (a narrow margin)
