Mario Kempes vs Nicolas Anelka: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1954, retired 1996) · Striker, France (born 1979, retired 2015)
There is something timeless about weighing Mario Kempes against Nicolas Anelka. Long after the final whistle, what lingers is influence, and each man reshaped his corner of the game. The raw numbers read 350 goals in 600 outings for Mario Kempes (0.58/game), versus 300 in 800 for Nicolas Anelka (0.38/game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Mario Kempes is listed at 0 and Nicolas Anelka at 90 where figures survive. In major honours Mario Kempes collected 3 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (1978) — whereas Nicolas Anelka amassed 4, led by 2× Premier League (1998, 2010). Their legacies diverge in texture: Mario Kempes is remembered as mercurial, Nicolas Anelka as mercurial. Club journeys add another layer, with Mario Kempes reaching his representative peak around 1978 across Rosario Central, Valencia CF, River Plate, Valencia CF, Hércules CF, Austria Vienna and Nicolas Anelka doing so around 2009 with Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Fenerbahçe, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Shanghai Shenhua, West Bromwich Albion, Mumbai City. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
194 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
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.”
A supremely talented but nomadic French striker, Anelka won titles in four different countries, culminating in Chelsea's 2012 Champions League triumph.
“A quick, clinical striker with excellent movement in behind, though a reputation for a wandering, restless career.”
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 (1978)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1980)
- 1× Copa del Rey (1979)
- 2× Premier League (1998, 2010)
- 1× La Liga (2000)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2012)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 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.
- 1995 Professional debut for Paris Saint-Germain
- 1998 Won Premier League with Arsenal
- 2012 Won UEFA Champions League with Chelsea
- 2009 Reached the peak of his powers at Chelsea
- 2015 Retired after a final spell at Mumbai City
- Finished his career with 300 goals in 800 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 300 goals in 800 appearances and 4 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
