Mario Kempes vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1954, retired 1996) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Mario Kempes versus Clint Dempsey is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. Across his senior career Mario Kempes notched 350 goals in 600 appearances (0.58 per game), while Clint Dempsey recorded 180 in 550 (0.33 per game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Mario Kempes is credited with 0 and Clint Dempsey with 90. Mario Kempes departs the game with 3 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1978); Clint Dempsey with 2, including 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014). Mario Kempes scored with a predatory that defined his era, while Clint Dempsey's finishing carried a clinical all of its own. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Mario Kempes's landmark level arrived around 1978 with a career spanning Rosario Central, Valencia CF, River Plate, Valencia CF, Hércules CF, Austria Vienna; Clint Dempsey's came around 2012 across New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
196 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
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.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
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)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
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.
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Mario Kempes takes it by a clear margin.
Mario Kempes edges it (a clear margin)
