Arjen Robben vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Netherlands (born 1984, retired 2019) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Set Arjen Robben alongside Clint Dempsey and the numbers start an argument of their own. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. On production alone, Arjen Robben posted 246 goals across 614 appearances while Clint Dempsey managed 180 across 550. 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 Clint Dempsey with 90. In major honours Arjen Robben collected 9 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (2013) — whereas Clint Dempsey amassed 2, led by 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014). One lifted trophies through mercurial reliability, the other through predatory moments that decided finals. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Arjen Robben's landmark level arrived around 2013 with a career spanning PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Groningen; Clint Dempsey's came around 2012 across New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
174 words · comparison angle: trophies
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.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
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× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2005 Established himself at PSV
- 2009 Reached his defining peak
- 2013 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Arjen Robben takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Arjen Robben edges it (a decisive margin)
