Arjen Robben vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Netherlands (born 1984, retired 2019) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
Ask any fan to rank Arjen Robben above or below Raymond Kopa and you will get a passionate answer. Reputations harden into legacies, and few careers cast longer shadows than these two. The raw numbers read 246 goals in 614 outings for Arjen Robben (0.40/game), versus 150 in 450 for Raymond Kopa (0.33/game). Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. In major honours Arjen Robben collected 9 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (2013) — whereas Raymond Kopa amassed 5, led by 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959). History will file Arjen Robben under flair-driven greatness and Raymond Kopa under clinical greatness — different shelves, same temple. Club journeys add another layer, with Arjen Robben reaching his representative peak around 2013 across PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Groningen and Raymond Kopa doing so around 1958 with Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
177 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.”
France's first football superstar and 1958 Ballon d'Or winner, Kopa won three straight European Cups alongside Di Stéfano at Real Madrid before returning to lead Reims.
“A diminutive, dazzling dribbler and creator whose vision and close control made him the conductor of every attack he played in.”
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)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2005 Established himself at PSV
- 2009 Reached his defining peak
- 2013 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 1949 Professional debut for Angers
- 1957 Won European Cup with Real Madrid
- 1953 Won Ligue 1 with Reims
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 1967 Retired after a final spell at Reims
- Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Arjen Robben is the choice: a decisive margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Arjen Robben edges it (a decisive margin)
