The enduring image of the 1978
World Cup finals is that of
Mario Kempes celebrating his tounament-winning
goals on a
ticker-tape littered
Buenos Aires pitch. His
dynamic performance in the
competition epitomized
everything that was good about his
game -
strength,
determination and an
innate ability to sniff out
goals from half chances.
Kempes first hit the
headlines with club side
Rosario Central, earning a call-up to the Argentine national side in time for the 1974
World Cup. His potential was recognized by Spanish outfit
Valencia who captured his signature in time for the 1974-75 season. He made a
devastating impact, finishing as the league's top scorer in his first year. Continued impressive form saw him retain his place in the national side for the 1978
World Cup despite manager
Cesar Luis Menotti's preference for home based players. His
faith in Kempes was rewarded, as his main striker netted 6
goals in the
competition, including two in the final against
Holland. The fans were sent into
raptures as
Argentina lifted the
trophy for the very first time.
In 1980 Kempes steered
Valencia to a
European Cup Winners Cup win, although disagreements with coach
Alfredo Di Stefano soon led to a return to
Argentina with
River Plate. He subsequently appeared at the 1982
World Cup but failed to live up to his performance of four years earlier. Kempes ended his playing days back in
Europe with
Austrian club SV
Salzburg.