Landon Donovan vs Mario Kempes: Stats Compared
Forward, United States (born 1982, retired 2016) · Striker, Argentina (born 1954, retired 1996)
Line up Landon Donovan next to Mario Kempes and the contrasts come quickly. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. Career output puts Landon Donovan at 190 goals in 550 games, with Mario Kempes at 350 in 600. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Landon Donovan is listed at 145 and Mario Kempes at 0 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Landon Donovan 9 and Mario Kempes 3, with 6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014) and 1× FIFA World Cup (1978) the standout honours respectively. As a forward Landon Donovan bent the role to a flair-driven template; as a striker, Mario Kempes redefined it with ruthless authority. Club journeys add another layer, with Landon Donovan reaching his representative peak around 2010 across San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, LA Galaxy and Mario Kempes doing so around 1978 with Rosario Central, Valencia CF, River Plate, Valencia CF, Hércules CF, Austria Vienna. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
185 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
The USA's all-time leading scorer for club and country until his retirement, Donovan was the face of American soccer through three World Cups, capped by his dramatic stoppage-time winner against Algeria in 2010.
“A quick, clever forward whose intelligent movement and clinical finishing made him the USA's most decorated attacking player.”
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
- 6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014)
- 3× CONCACAF Gold Cup (2002, 2005, 2007)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1978)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1980)
- 1× Copa del Rey (1979)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2001 Professional debut for San Jose Earthquakes
- 2001 Won MLS Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2002 Won CONCACAF Gold Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at LA Galaxy
- 2016 Retired after a final spell at LA Galaxy
- Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 major honours. Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 major honours.
- 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, silverware and profile, the two finish within a whisker of each other. Call it a respectful draw — greatness of this calibre resists a single winner.
Too close to call — a respectful draw
