Arjen Robben vs Kevin Keegan: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Netherlands (born 1984, retired 2019) · Forward, England (born 1951, retired 1984)
Set Arjen Robben alongside Kevin Keegan 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 Arjen Robben notched 246 goals in 614 appearances (0.40 per game), while Kevin Keegan recorded 240 in 700 (0.34 per game). 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 Arjen Robben with 9 major trophies (1× UEFA Champions League (2013)) against Kevin Keegan's 6 (1× European Cup (1977)). Their legacies diverge in texture: Arjen Robben is remembered as predatory, Kevin Keegan as mercurial. The wider career context matters too: Arjen Robben peaked around 2013 after representing PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Groningen, while Kevin Keegan's defining level came around 1978 across Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburger SV, Southampton, Newcastle United. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
160 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
A two-time Ballon d'Or winner, Keegan was English football's first true superstar of the television era, winning the European Cup with Liverpool before dazzling in the Bundesliga.
“An energetic, tirelessly hard-running forward whose enthusiasm and clever movement made him far more effective than his modest frame suggested.”
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× European Cup (1977)
- 3× English First Division (1973, 1976, 1977)
- 2× UEFA Cup (1973, 1976)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2005 Established himself at PSV
- 2009 Reached his defining peak
- 2013 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 1968 Professional debut for Scunthorpe United
- 1977 Won European Cup with Liverpool
- 1973 Won UEFA Cup with Liverpool
- 1978 Reached the peak of his powers at Hamburger SV
- 1984 Retired after a final spell at Newcastle United
- Finished his career with 240 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 240 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Arjen Robben takes the verdict — a clear margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Arjen Robben edges it (a clear margin)
