Mario Kempes

The striker who scored two braces against Poland and Peru, plus two goals including an extra-time winner against the Netherlands, to secure Argentina's 1978 World Cup title.

Mario Alberto Kempes is the Argentine striker who became the focal point of the nation's first FIFA World Cup victory in 1978. Born on July 15, 1954, in Bell Ville, he played as a forward or attacking midfielder, known for his surging runs from outside the penalty area and lethal finishing. Before leading Argentina to glory, he established himself at Rosario Central with 85 goals in 105 matches, then moved to Valencia where he became La Liga's top scorer twice with 116 goals in 184 league games. Nicknamed 'El Toro' and 'El Matador,' he remains one of only three players to win the Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and a World Cup title in a single tournament.

Quick Facts

Full name: Mario Alberto Kempes
Born: 15 July 1954
Birthplace: Bell Ville, Córdoba, Argentina
Height: 1.84 m / 6 ft
Position: Striker, attacking midfielder

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.

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).
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.