Explosive Argentine striker who won the 1978 World Cup Golden Boot and was one of the most feared marksmen in European football during the late 1970s.
Mario Alberto Kempes Chiodi was born in Bell Ville, Córdoba on 15 July 1954. Nicknamed 'El Matador' for his ferocious finishing, Kempes was the star of Argentina's triumphant 1978 World Cup campaign on home soil. Playing for Valencia in Spain at the time, he was the only foreign-based player selected by manager César Luis Menotti. He finished as the tournament's top scorer with six goals — including two in the final against the Netherlands — and won the Golden Boot. He had joined Valencia from Instituto de Córdoba in 1976 and spent eight highly productive seasons there, scoring 116 goals and winning La Liga in 1971 (with another club). At Valencia he was instrumental in their Copa del Rey win in 1979 and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1980. He earned 43 caps for Argentina and scored 20 goals.
Leading Argentina to 1978 World Cup victory as tournament top scorer
He scored twice in the 1978 World Cup final against the Netherlands, including a goal where he dribbled past three defenders — one of the most celebrated individual World Cup final performances of all time.
Did You Know?How They Played
Physical striker with excellent finishing, aerial ability and leadership qualities
Lasting Impact
Argentina's 1978 World Cup hero and one of the greatest strikers of his generation
Career Honours
- World Cup 1978
- Copa del Rey 1979
- European Cup Winners' Cup 1980
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instituto Córdoba | 1973–1976 | 109 | 115 | #10 |
| Valencia | 1976–1981 | 176 | 48 | #18 |
| River Plate | 1981–1982 | 111 | 29 | #18 |
| Estudiantes | 1984–1986 | 0 | 0 | — |
| First Vienna FC | 1986–1987 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Fernández Vial | 1993–1996 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Rosario Central | 1976–1976 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Hércules | 1982–1984 | 125 | 27 | #9 |
| Kremser SC | 1987–1988 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Pelita Jaya | 1988–1989 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Argentine | — | 43 | 20 | — |