Roberto Baggio vs Mario Kempes: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Italy (born 1967, retired 2004) · Striker, Argentina (born 1954, retired 1996)
When Roberto Baggio and Mario Kempes are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. They occupied different roles, which makes a like-for-like verdict a careful exercise. Roberto Baggio finishes with 318 career goals from 602 games — a 0.53 strike rate — against Mario Kempes's 350 from 600 at 0.58 per match. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Trophy counts give Roberto Baggio 9 and Mario Kempes 3, with 1× UEFA Cup (1993) and 1× FIFA World Cup (1978) the standout honours respectively. As a attacking midfielder Roberto Baggio bent the role to a orchestrating template; as a striker, Mario Kempes redefined it with clinical authority. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Roberto Baggio's landmark level arrived around 1993 with a career spanning Vicenza, Fiorentina, Juventus, Milan, Bologna, Inter; Mario Kempes's came around 1978 across Rosario Central, Valencia CF, River Plate, Valencia CF, Hércules CF, Austria Vienna. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
182 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Roberto Baggio is an Italian former professional footballer who mainly played as a second striker, or as an attacking midfielder. He is also the former president of the technical sector of the Italian Football Federation. A highly skillful creative playmaker and set piece specialist, renowned for his curling free-kicks, dribbling skills, and goalscoring, Baggio is regarded by many as one of the greatest players of all time.
“A delicate playmaker with velvet touch, disguised passing and an instinct for decisive moments.”
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× UEFA Cup (1993)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1978)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1980)
- 1× Copa del Rey (1979)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1985 Established himself at Vicenza
- 1989 Reached his defining peak
- 1993 Delivered a landmark season
- 2004 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, Roberto Baggio is the choice: a clear margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Roberto Baggio edges it (a clear margin)
