Mario Kempes

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kempes' journey to the pinnacle of football began in Bell Ville, Córdoba, where his German father Mario Quemp and Italian mother Teresa Chiodi raised him. He joined Talleres reserves at fourteen before moving through Instituto and Rosario Central, scoring 85 goals in just 105 matches. His prolific form attracted Valencia, where he won the Copa del Rey, European Cup Winners' Cup, and European Super Cup while securing consecutive Pichichi trophies with 24 and 28 goals in 1976–77 and 1977–78. Coach César Luis Menotti famously described him as a player who 'creates spaces and shoots hard,' noting his ability to play center-forward despite not being a traditional box striker. The 1978 World Cup was his defining moment. Although he failed to score in the 1974 tournament at age 19, he returned four years later as the only foreign-based player in Menotti's squad. After a goalless group stage start, Kempes exploded with six goals: two against Poland in the semi-final group stage, two against Peru, and two in the final against the Netherlands. His second goal in the 105th minute of extra time sealed the 3–1 victory. He also infamously stopped a goal with his hand in a match against Poland, resulting in a saved penalty by Ubaldo Fillol. That final marked his last goals for Argentina at age 23.

In Their Own Story

In the 1978 World Cup final against the Netherlands, the stakes were unimaginable for a nation desperate for its first title. Kempes, having scored no goals in the group stage, carried the weight of expectation into extra time. Locked in a stalemate at full time, he broke the deadlock and then sealed victory with two clinical strikes in the 105th minute. The second goal was the game-winner, turning the Estadio Monumental into a cauldron of pure ecstasy as Argentina lifted the trophy. Earlier in the tournament, he had already demonstrated his clutch ability with braces against Poland and Peru, proving he could deliver when it mattered most. His style defied traditional norms; instead of operating solely inside the box, he used surging runs from outside the penalty area to unsettle defenses. This unique approach, combined with his physical strength and left-footed prowess, made him a nightmare for defenders. Despite his decline in his 30s during spells at Hércules and Austrian clubs, his impact in 1978 remained unmatched. He finished as top scorer with six goals and received both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, cementing his place alongside Garrincha (1962) and Paolo Rossi (1982) as one of only three players to achieve this triple feat.

Reader's Guide

Kempes' legacy extends beyond his 1978 heroics. He was named South American Footballer of the Year, Onze d'Or European Footballer of the Year, and won the World Cup Golden Ball in 1978. In 2004, Pelé included him in FIFA's Top 125 greatest living footballers for the association's centenary. His career statistics include 43 caps and 20 goals for Argentina across three World Cups (1974, 1978, 1982). At club level, he won the Argentine Primera División with River Plate in 1981 and Galatama with Pelita Jaya in 1993–94. Post-retirement, Kempes transitioned into management, making his full-time debut in Albania with Lushnja in 1997, where he became the first foreign manager to sign a foreign player in Albanian history. He later managed Mineros de Guayana (Venezuela), The Strongest and Blooming (Bolivia). Currently, he works as a football analyst for ESPN Deportes and provides commentary for FIFA video games from FIFA 13 through FIFA 23, continuing with EA Sports FC 24. His influence is immortalized in the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, named after him in 2010.

Did You Know?

• Kempes is one of only three players to win the Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and World Cup title in a single tournament, alongside Garrincha (1962) and Paolo Rossi (1982).
• He was the only foreign-based player selected for Argentina's 1978 World Cup squad while playing for Valencia.
• In his final international goals at age 23, he scored twice in extra time of the 1978 World Cup Final to secure a 3–1 victory over the Netherlands.
• Kempes famously stopped a goal with his hand in a second-round match against Poland during the 1978 tournament, leading to a penalty saved by Ubaldo Fillol.
• He became the first foreign manager to sign a foreign player in Albanian football history while managing Lushnja in 1997.