Ruud Gullit vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Forward / Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1962, retired 1998) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
Line up Ruud Gullit next to Raymond Kopa and the contrasts come quickly. They occupied different roles, which makes a like-for-like verdict a careful exercise. The raw numbers read 230 goals in 600 outings for Ruud Gullit (0.38/game), versus 150 in 450 for Raymond Kopa (0.33/game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Ruud Gullit is credited with 100 and Raymond Kopa with 0. In major honours Ruud Gullit collected 7 — headlined by 1× UEFA European Championship (1988) — whereas Raymond Kopa amassed 5, led by 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959). As a forward / midfielder Ruud Gullit bent the role to a ruthless template; as a forward, Raymond Kopa redefined it with clinical authority. Their routes to the top were distinct: Ruud Gullit built his reputation across HFC Haarlem, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, Sampdoria, AC Milan, Chelsea, peaking around 1988, while Raymond Kopa reached his defining level around 1958 after spells with Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
187 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
The dreadlocked 1987 Ballon d'Or winner, Gullit captained the Netherlands to their only major title at Euro 1988 and formed part of AC Milan's all-conquering 'Dutch trio'.
“A powerful, technically brilliant all-rounder equally dangerous as a target man, playmaker, or even at centre-back.”
France's first football superstar and 1958 Ballon d'Or winner, Kopa won three straight European Cups alongside Di Stéfano at Real Madrid before returning to lead Reims.
“A diminutive, dazzling dribbler and creator whose vision and close control made him the conductor of every attack he played in.”
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× UEFA European Championship (1988)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1989, 1990)
- 3× Serie A (1988, 1992, 1993)
- 1× FA Cup (1997)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1979 Professional debut for HFC Haarlem
- 1988 Won UEFA European Championship with AC Milan
- 1997 Won FA Cup with Chelsea
- 1988 Reached the peak of his powers at AC Milan
- 1998 Retired after a final spell at Chelsea
- Finished his career with 230 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 230 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours.
- 1949 Professional debut for Angers
- 1957 Won European Cup with Real Madrid
- 1953 Won Ligue 1 with Reims
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 1967 Retired after a final spell at Reims
- Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Ruud Gullit the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Ruud Gullit edges it (a decisive margin)
