Mario Kempes Football player Date of Birth: 15.07.1954 Country: Argentina

1. Biography of Mario Kempes
2. Club Career
3. International Career
4. Early Life and Rise to Fame
5. Later Career and Retirement

Biography of Mario Kempes

Mario Kempes is an Argentine footballer and the 1978 World Cup champion. He was born on July 15, 1954, in Bel Ville, Cordoba Province, Argentina. Kempes played as a forward and had an impressive career playing for various clubs.

Club Career

Kempes started his club career with "Talleres" in Bel Ville from 1964 to 1972. He then moved to "Instituto" in Cordoba, where he played for one season and scored 11 goals in 13 matches. Kempes then joined "Rosario Central" in Argentina, where he played from 1974 to 1976, scoring 86 goals in 107 matches. He later moved to "Valencia" in Spain, where he played from 1976 to 1981 and again from 1982 to 1984, scoring a total of 104 goals in 184 matches. Kempes also played for "River Plate" in Buenos Aires from 1981 to 1982, "Hercules" in Alicante from 1984 to 1986, "Vienna" in Austria in 1986, "St. Polten" from 1987 to 1990, and "Krems" in Austria from 1990 to 1992.

In total, Kempes played 494 league matches and scored 276 goals throughout his career. He won various titles, including the 1978 World Cup, where he scored 6 goals in 7 matches and was named the tournament's best player and top scorer. He also won the South American Footballer of the Year in 1978 and the Spanish Cup in 1979. Kempes was part of the winning team in the UEFA Cup in 1980 and the European Super Cup in the same year. He was the top scorer in the Spanish league in 1977 and 1980 and the Argentine league in 1974 and 1976. Kempes also participated in the 1974 and 1982 World Cups.

According to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), Kempes is ranked 23rd in the list of the best South American footballers of the 20th century.

International Career

Kempes represented the Argentine national team from 1973 to 1982, playing 43 matches and scoring 26 goals. He made his debut in the 1978 World Cup at a young age and initially struggled to make an impact. However, his performance improved during the tournament, especially in the second stage when Argentina played in his hometown, Rosario. Kempes played a crucial role in Argentina's victory, scoring two goals in the final against the Netherlands.

Early Life and Rise to Fame

Kempes was born in Bel Ville, a small agricultural community where his father worked for a cargo handling company. Even as a child, he was known for his restless nature and constant activity. His parents recall his energetic and lively behavior, which ultimately helped him excel in football.

Kempes' professional career was just beginning when he was selected to play in the 1974 World Cup in Germany at the age of 20. Although he was not yet ready for such a high level of competition, he caught the attention of the national team coach, Luis Cesar Menotti, who saw potential in him.

Kempes moved to Europe two years before the 1978 World Cup, joining the club "Rosario Central" in Argentina. He became the top scorer in the Argentine league twice before transferring to "Valencia" in Spain for a record-breaking fee. Kempes continued his goal-scoring prowess in Spain and won multiple individual awards.

Later Career and Retirement

After the peak of his career in 1978, Kempes struggled to maintain his form. He faced various injuries and played for several less prominent clubs. In 1981, he joined "River Plate" in Buenos Aires, but his performances did not reach the same level as before. Kempes retired from professional football at the age of 38 but made a brief comeback at the age of 41, playing for a Chilean second division club.

Unable to accumulate significant wealth during his playing years, Kempes turned to coaching after his retirement. In 1996, he received an unexpected offer from Albania to coach a club called "Lushnja." However, the club faced financial difficulties, and Kempes eventually returned to South America.

Kempes' playing career had its ups and downs, but he will always be remembered as one of Argentina's football legends. His contributions to the national team's victory in the 1978 World Cup and his impressive goal-scoring record throughout his career have left a lasting impact on the sport.