Mario Kempes vs Fernando Redondo: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1954, retired 1996) · Defensive Midfielder, Argentina (born 1969, retired 2004)
When Mario Kempes and Fernando Redondo are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Different decades shaped different demands, and both adapted to theirs brilliantly. Across his senior career Mario Kempes notched 350 goals in 600 appearances (0.58 per game), while Fernando Redondo recorded 30 in 450 (0.07 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 Fernando Redondo with 60. In major honours Mario Kempes collected 3 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (1978) — whereas Fernando Redondo amassed 5, led by 2× La Liga (1995, 1997). Across the 1970s and the 1990s respectively, their flair-driven and dictatorial styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. The wider career context matters too: Mario Kempes peaked around 1978 after representing Rosario Central, Valencia CF, River Plate, Valencia CF, Hércules CF, Austria Vienna, while Fernando Redondo's defining level came around 1998 across Argentinos Juniors, Real Madrid, AC Milan. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
187 words · comparison angle: era
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 elegant defensive midfielder famed for his flowing hair and a single backheel that became one of the sport's most replayed pieces of skill.
“An elegant, deep-lying playmaker who shielded the defence while dictating play with effortless long passing.”
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× La Liga (1995, 1997)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000)
- 1× Intercontinental Cup (1998)
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.
- 1987 Professional debut for Argentinos Juniors
- 1995 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Won Intercontinental Cup with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at AC Milan
- Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Fernando Redondo edges the comparison. The margin is a narrow margin, decided mostly by superior creative output.
Fernando Redondo edges it (a narrow margin)
