Arjen Robben vs David Luiz: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Netherlands (born 1984, retired 2019) · Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023)
Put Arjen Robben and David Luiz side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. They belonged to different eras, which makes any direct comparison a test of imagination as much as statistics. The raw numbers read 246 goals in 614 outings for Arjen Robben (0.40/game), versus 35 in 650 for David Luiz (0.05/game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Arjen Robben is credited with 0 and David Luiz with 25. In major honours Arjen Robben collected 9 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (2013) — whereas David Luiz amassed 6, led by 1× UEFA Champions League (2012). Across the modern era and the modern era respectively, their mercurial and uncompromising styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Their routes to the top were distinct: Arjen Robben built his reputation across PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Groningen, peaking around 2013, while David Luiz reached his defining level around 2013 after spells with Vitória, Benfica, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, Flamengo. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
194 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Arjen Robben is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger. Known for his dribbling skills, speed, and long-range shots, he is regarded as one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest wingers of all time. He ranks second for the all-time Dutch top goalscorers (32) in the UEFA Champions League and is the all-time Dutch top assist provider (19) in the competition.
“A devastating inverted winger whose cut inside and left-foot finish became a signature.”
An eccentric, unpredictable Brazilian centre-back famed for his wild hairstyles and thunderous free-kicks, David Luiz won trophies across three major European leagues.
“An unorthodox, high-risk centre-back who combined bold attacking instincts and a huge shot with occasionally erratic positioning.”
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 Champions League (2013)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2012)
- 2× UEFA Europa League (2013, 2019)
- 2× Premier League (2015, 2017)
- 1× FA Cup (2018)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2005 Established himself at PSV
- 2009 Reached his defining peak
- 2013 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 2006 Professional debut for Vitória
- 2012 Won UEFA Champions League with Chelsea
- 2018 Won FA Cup with Chelsea
- 2013 Reached the peak of his powers at Chelsea
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Flamengo
- Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Arjen Robben edges the comparison. The margin is a narrow margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Arjen Robben edges it (a narrow margin)
