Arjen Robben vs Gary Lineker: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Netherlands (born 1984, retired 2019) · Striker, England (born 1960, retired 1994)
Line up Arjen Robben next to Gary Lineker and the contrasts come quickly. Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. By the end Arjen Robben had 246 goals from 614 caps and club outings; Gary Lineker had 330 from 567. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. The honours ledger favours Arjen Robben with 9 major trophies (1× UEFA Champions League (2013)) against Gary Lineker's 9 (1× Copa del Rey (1988)). Where Arjen Robben was a explosive presence in the box, Gary Lineker offered a ruthless approach to goalscoring. Club journeys add another layer, with Arjen Robben reaching his representative peak around 2013 across PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Groningen and Gary Lineker doing so around 1986 with Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
159 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
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.”
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× UEFA Champions League (2013)
- 1× Copa del Rey (1988)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2005 Established himself at PSV
- 2009 Reached his defining peak
- 2013 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 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, Gary Lineker takes it by a narrow margin.
Gary Lineker edges it (a narrow margin)
