Ferenc Puskás vs Mario Kempes: Stats Compared
Forward, Hungary (born 1927, retired 1966) · Striker, Argentina (born 1954, retired 1996)
Set Ferenc Puskás alongside Mario Kempes and the numbers start an argument of their own. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. The raw numbers read 598 goals in 621 outings for Ferenc Puskás (0.96/game), versus 350 in 600 for Mario Kempes (0.58/game). 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 Ferenc Puskás collected 10 — headlined by 3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966) — whereas Mario Kempes amassed 3, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (1978). Ferenc Puskás scored with a clinical that defined his era, while Mario Kempes's finishing carried a predatory all of its own. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Ferenc Puskás's landmark level arrived around 1960 with a career spanning Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid; Mario Kempes's came around 1978 across Rosario Central, Valencia CF, River Plate, Valencia CF, Hércules CF, Austria Vienna. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
179 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Hungarian legend of the Magical Magyats and a Real Madrid galáctico; scorer of 84 goals in 85 games for Hungary.
“A barrel-chested left-footed finisher whose deadly striking powered Hungary's Golden Team.”
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
- 3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966)
- 5× La Liga
- 1× Olympic Gold Medal (1952)
- 1× Central European Cup (1953)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1978)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1980)
- 1× Copa del Rey (1979)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1943 Budapest Honvéd debut
- 1952 Olympic champion with Hungary
- 1953 Scored twice in the 6-3 win over England at Wembley
- 1956 Fled the Hungarian Revolution
- 1958 Joined Real Madrid
- 1960 Scored four goals in the European Cup final
- 1966 Retired from playing
- 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
The numbers give Ferenc Puskás the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Ferenc Puskás edges it (a decisive margin)
