Gary Lineker vs Fernando Redondo: Stats Compared
Striker, England (born 1960, retired 1994) · Defensive Midfielder, Argentina (born 1969, retired 2004)
Set Gary Lineker alongside Fernando Redondo and the numbers start an argument of their own. Reputations harden into legacies, and few careers cast longer shadows than these two. Across his senior career Gary Lineker notched 330 goals in 567 appearances (0.58 per game), while Fernando Redondo recorded 30 in 450 (0.07 per game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Gary Lineker is credited with 0 and Fernando Redondo with 60. The honours ledger favours Gary Lineker with 9 major trophies (1× Copa del Rey (1988)) against Fernando Redondo's 5 (2× La Liga (1995, 1997)). Their legacies diverge in texture: Gary Lineker is remembered as flair-driven, Fernando Redondo as incisive. Their routes to the top were distinct: Gary Lineker built his reputation across Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham, peaking around 1986, while Fernando Redondo reached his defining level around 1998 after spells with Argentinos Juniors, Real Madrid, AC Milan. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
175 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
Gary Winston Lineker (born 30 November 1960) is an English sports broadcaster, businessman, and former professional footballer who played as a striker. Regarded as one of the best players of his generation and one of England's greatest players, Lineker is the only player to have been the top goalscorer in England with three clubs: Leicester City, Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur. He also played for Barcelona in Spain, and won 80 caps for England.
“A model penalty-box striker whose timing and finishing were almost never wasted.”
A supremely elegant defensive midfielder famed for his flowing hair and a single backheel that became one of the sport's most replayed pieces of skill.
“An elegant, deep-lying playmaker who shielded the defence while dictating play with effortless long passing.”
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× Copa del Rey (1988)
- 2× La Liga (1995, 1997)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000)
- 1× Intercontinental Cup (1998)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1978 Established himself at Leicester City
- 1982 Reached his defining peak
- 1986 Delivered a landmark season
- 1994 Retired from professional football
- 1987 Professional debut for Argentinos Juniors
- 1995 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Won Intercontinental Cup with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at AC Milan
- Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Gary Lineker the lead — a narrow margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Gary Lineker edges it (a narrow margin)
