Lothar Matthäus vs Gary Lineker: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, Germany (born 1961, retired 2000) · Striker, England (born 1960, retired 1994)
There is something timeless about weighing Lothar Matthäus against Gary Lineker. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. By the end Lothar Matthäus had 220 goals from 780 caps and club outings; Gary Lineker had 330 from 567. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. The honours ledger favours Lothar Matthäus with 7 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (1990)) against Gary Lineker's 9 (1× Copa del Rey (1988)). Their legacies diverge in texture: Lothar Matthäus is remembered as creative, Gary Lineker as predatory. Club journeys add another layer, with Lothar Matthäus reaching his representative peak around 1990 across Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Gary Lineker doing so around 1986 with Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
163 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
The 1990 World Cup-winning captain and 1990 Ballon d'Or winner, Matthäus made a record 25 World Cup appearances across five tournaments in a career of relentless box-to-box excellence.
“A powerful, dynamic all-action midfielder equally capable of defending, driving forward, and unleashing thunderous long-range shots.”
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.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1990)
- 5× Bundesliga (1985, 1986, 1994, 1997, 1999)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1991)
- 1× Copa del Rey (1988)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1979 Professional debut for Borussia Mönchengladbach
- 1990 Won FIFA World Cup with Inter Milan
- 1991 Won UEFA Cup with Inter Milan
- 1990 Reached the peak of his powers at Inter Milan
- 2000 Retired after a final spell at Bayern Munich
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 780 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 780 appearances and 7 major honours.
- 1978 Established himself at Leicester City
- 1982 Reached his defining peak
- 1986 Delivered a landmark season
- 1994 Retired from professional football
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Lothar Matthäus takes it by a clear margin.
Lothar Matthäus edges it (a clear margin)
