David Silva vs Mario Kempes: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023) · Striker, Argentina (born 1954, retired 1996)
David Silva versus Mario Kempes is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Honours are what separate great players from trophy-laden legends, and both qualify. By the end David Silva had 124 goals from 771 caps and club outings; Mario Kempes had 350 from 600. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. In major honours David Silva collected 9 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (2010) — whereas Mario Kempes amassed 3, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (1978). One lifted trophies through incisive reliability, the other through flair-driven moments that decided finals. Their routes to the top were distinct: David Silva built his reputation across Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad, peaking around 2012, while Mario Kempes reached his defining level around 1978 after spells with Rosario Central, Valencia CF, River Plate, Valencia CF, Hércules CF, Austria Vienna. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
166 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
David Josué Jiménez Silva (born 8 January 1986) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played mainly as a central or an attacking midfielder and occasionally as a winger or second striker. Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation and among the greatest players in Premier League history, he was known for his balance, ball control and agility in close spaces, combined with his skill, composure, passing and flair on the ball. Silva spent seven years of his professional career with Valencia, playing from 2004 to 2010, and won the Copa del Rey in 2008.
“A pocket-sized conductor whose close control and passing gave Manchester City its early rhythm.”
The talismanic top scorer of the 1978 World Cup, Kempes was Argentina's long-haired talisman and one of the first South American stars to shine in Spanish football.
“A powerful, direct forward who ran at defences from deep and finished with ferocious shooting power.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2010)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1978)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1980)
- 1× Copa del Rey (1979)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 1973 Professional debut for Rosario Central
- 1978 Won FIFA World Cup with Valencia CF
- 1979 Won Copa del Rey with Valencia CF
- 1978 Reached the peak of his powers at Valencia CF
- 1996 Retired after a final spell at Austria Vienna
- Finished his career with 350 goals in 600 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 350 goals in 600 appearances and 3 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, David Silva takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
David Silva edges it (a decisive margin)
