Robin van Persie vs Raúl: Stats Compared
Striker, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2019) · Striker, Spain (born 1977, retired 2015)
Robin van Persie against Raúl is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. Robin van Persie finishes with 322 career goals from 694 games — a 0.46 strike rate — against Raúl's 432 from 1032 at 0.42 per match. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Robin van Persie departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× Premier League (2013); Raúl with 16, including 3× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000, 2002). Across the modern era and the turn of the millennium respectively, their clinical and mercurial styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Robin van Persie's landmark level arrived around 2012 with a career spanning Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe; Raúl's came around 2002 across Real Madrid, Schalke 04, Al Sadd, New York Cosmos. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
185 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Robin van Persie is a Dutch football coach and former professional footballer. He last served as the head coach of Eredivisie club Feyenoord. He is regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation and was known for his technique, ball control, and vision.
“A left-footed artist whose volleys, movement and aerial technique made difficult finishes routine.”
Real Madrid legend who captained the club to three Champions League titles; held the all-time Champions League goals record before Messi and Ronaldo surpassed him.
“An intelligent, tireless forward whose movement off the ball created chances for himself and others.”
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× Premier League (2013)
- 3× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000, 2002)
- 6× La Liga
- 4× Supercopa de España
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (1998, 2002)
- 1× UEFA Super Cup (2002)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Feyenoord
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 1994 Real Madrid debut aged 17
- 1996 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Champions League winner at 20
- 2000 Champions League winner, top scorer in the tournament
- 2003 Became Real Madrid captain
- 2010 Left Real Madrid after 16 years at the club
- 2015 Retired at New York Cosmos
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Raúl wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of a sharper goalscoring record.
Raúl edges it (a decisive margin)
