Rivelino vs Mario Kempes: Stats Compared
Left Midfielder, Brazil (born 1946, retired 1981) · Striker, Argentina (born 1954, retired 1996)
Rivelino and Mario Kempes represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. On production alone, Rivelino posted 238 goals across 624 appearances while Mario Kempes managed 350 across 600. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. Trophy counts give Rivelino 8 and Mario Kempes 3, with 1× FIFA World Cup (1970) and 1× FIFA World Cup (1978) the standout honours respectively. Rivelino built his medal haul through years of creative consistency, while Mario Kempes won his with clinical bursts of brilliance. Their routes to the top were distinct: Rivelino built his reputation across Corinthians, Fluminense, Al-Hilal, peaking around 1970, while Mario Kempes reached his defining level around 1978 after spells with Rosario Central, Valencia CF, River Plate, Valencia CF, Hércules CF, Austria Vienna. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
171 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Roberto Rivellino (born 1 January 1946), known mononymously as Rivellino, is a Brazilian football pundit and former player. He was a key member of Brazil’s 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning team and played as an attacking midfielder. He was renowned for his moustache, powerful long-range shooting, accurate passing, close control, dribbling and bending free kicks.
“A left-footed conductor famous for the elastico, fierce shooting and daring switches of play.”
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
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1970)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1978)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1980)
- 1× Copa del Rey (1979)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1962 Established himself at Corinthians
- 1966 Reached his defining peak
- 1970 Delivered a landmark season
- 1981 Retired from professional football
- 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
On balance Rivelino edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Rivelino edges it (a clear margin)
