Cafu vs Mario Kempes: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Striker, Argentina (born 1954, retired 1996)
Comparing Cafu with Mario Kempes means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Their jobs on the pitch were not the same, yet both redefined what their role could be. Across his senior career Cafu notched 53 goals in 856 appearances (0.06 per game), while Mario Kempes recorded 350 in 600 (0.58 per game). Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Cafu departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002); Mario Kempes with 3, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1978). As a right-back Cafu bent the role to a commanding template; as a striker, Mario Kempes redefined it with mercurial authority. Club journeys add another layer, with Cafu reaching his representative peak around 2002 across São Paulo, Roma, Milan and Mario Kempes doing so around 1978 with Rosario Central, Valencia CF, River Plate, Valencia CF, Hércules CF, Austria Vienna. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
172 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Marcos Evangelista de Morais (born 7 June 1970), known as Cafu, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a right-back. Widely regarded as one of the greatest full-backs of all time, he was known for his pace and energetic attacking runs along the right flank. He is the most-capped player for the Brazil national team with 142 appearances.
“A relentless full-back whose running power and crossing made the flank a second engine.”
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
- 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1978)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1980)
- 1× Copa del Rey (1979)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1994 Established himself at São Paulo
- 1998 Reached his defining peak
- 2002 Delivered a landmark season
- 2008 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
If forced to pick, Cafu is the choice: a decisive margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Cafu edges it (a decisive margin)
