Mario Kempes
Mario Alberto Kempes Chiodi arrived in the world on the 15th of July 1954 within Bell Ville, Córdoba. His father Mario Quemp carried German heritage while his mother Teresa Chiodi brought Italian roots to the family. At age seven he began playing with a junior team and at fourteen he joined the Talleres reserves. His professional career started at local club Instituto where he played alongside Osvaldo Ardiles before quickly moving on to Rosario Central. He established himself as a remarkable goalscorer there by scoring 85 goals in 105 matches. This prolific output prompted Valencia to sign him for their Spanish campaign.
At Mestalla stadium he went on to win the Copa del Rey during the 1978, 79 season. The following year he secured the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup trophy in 1979, 80. He also claimed the UEFA Super Cup in 1980 after that victory. Two consecutive Pichichi awards recognized his goal-scoring prowess with 24 goals in the 1976, 77 season and 28 goals in the 1977, 78 season. He amassed 116 goals across 184 league games for the club. Famous as a hard-working forward he used to strike from outside the penalty area with surging runs towards goal. Many defenders found difficulty handling his attacking style which differed from traditional center-forwards operating solely inside the box.
Kempes was the focal point of Argentina's 1978 World Cup win where he scored twice in the final against the Netherlands. He received the Golden Boot as top goalscorer with six goals in three braces. His first brace came in Argentina's semi-final group stage match against Poland while another two arrived against Peru. The last two goals fell in the final at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires. His second goal in the 105th minute served as the game winner in extra time. He also won the Golden Ball for player of the tournament making him one of only three players to have won all three awards at a single World Cup. Coach César Luis Menotti described him before the tournament saying he was strong, had skill, created spaces and shot hard.
He stood out for his powerful left foot and incredible reaction time combined with excellent physical condition. An enviable shot made him a very complete striker who always stayed a second ahead of the rest of the players. He possessed a lethal header that complemented his ground-based skills. Before the 1978 World Cup he was the only foreign-based player on coach César Luis Menotti's national team list. He failed to get on the score-sheet in West Germany in 1974 at age 19 but returned determined to deliver on home soil. His style caused many defenders difficulty handling his attacking approach compared to traditional strikers.
After leaving Valencia in 1984 Kempes spent two years at Hércules in nearby Alicante. He then spent six years at various Austrian clubs where his play declined in his 30s. He did not compete for top scorer honours in the Austrian top flight during this period. First Vienna saw him score seven goals in 20 appearances during the 1986, 87 season while Sankt Pölten yielded ten goals in 32 games. He rounded off his career with stints at more obscure clubs in Indonesia, Chile and Albania during the 1990s. Pelita Jaya won the Galatama title in 1993, 94 with his contribution of 15 goals in 15 matches.
Kempes made his full-time managing debut in Albania with Lushnja where he became the first foreign manager who signed a foreign player in Albanian football history. His career there came to a quick end in 1997. The following year he landed a job with Venezuelan side Mineros de Guayana. In 1999 he moved to Bolivia and managed The Strongest before taking charge of Blooming in 2000. Previously he had worked as assistant coach for Uruguayan manager Héctor Núñez in Valencia. He also served as a player-manager of Indonesian League champions Pelita Jaya before transitioning fully into coaching roles across South America.
In 2004 he was named as one of the Top 125 greatest living footballers as part of FIFA's 100th anniversary celebration. He received the Golden Foot award in 2007 as a football legend. Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes opened in Córdoba, Argentina in 2010 bearing his name. He was included in the AFA Team of All Time published in 2015 and the IFFHS Argentina All Times Dream Team in 2021. Currently he works as a football analyst and commentator in Spanish for ESPN Deportes. With Fernando Palomo and Ciro Procuna he provides commentary in the Latin American version of the FIFA franchise video games starting from FIFA 13 up until FIFA 23.
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Common questions
When and where was Mario Alberto Kempes born?
Mario Alberto Kempes Chiodi arrived in the world on the 15th of July 1954 within Bell Ville, Córdoba. His father Mario Quemp carried German heritage while his mother Teresa Chiodi brought Italian roots to the family.
What awards did Mario Kempes win during the 1978 World Cup?
Mario Kempes received the Golden Boot as top goalscorer with six goals in three braces and won the Golden Ball for player of the tournament. He became one of only three players to have won all three awards at a single World Cup after scoring twice in the final against the Netherlands.
How many goals did Mario Kempes score for Valencia CF?
Mario Kempes amassed 116 goals across 184 league games for the club. Two consecutive Pichichi awards recognized his goal-scoring prowess with 24 goals in the 1976, 77 season and 28 goals in the 1977, 78 season.
Which clubs did Mario Kempes play for after leaving Valencia in 1984?
After leaving Valencia in 1984 Mario Kempes spent two years at Hércules in nearby Alicante before spending six years at various Austrian clubs. He rounded off his career with stints at more obscure clubs in Indonesia, Chile and Albania during the 1990s including Pelita Jaya which won the Galatama title in 1993, 94 with his contribution of 15 goals in 15 matches.
What is Mario Kempes current role in football media as of 2021?
Currently Mario Kempes works as a football analyst and commentator in Spanish for ESPN Deportes. With Fernando Palomo and Ciro Procuna he provides commentary in the Latin American version of the FIFA franchise video games starting from FIFA 13 up until FIFA 23.