Mario Kempes - the Argentine World Cup winner who failed a trial at Tottenham

Images of Maradona's euphoric showing in 1986 still readily circulate as his legacy continues to shine, two years after his untimely passing.

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But eight years before Maradona's finest hour, Buenos Aires toasted the name of Mario Kempes - the man that will be forever etched into Argentine folklore.

Kempes fired his nation to their first-ever World Cup triumph which was made even more special as it happened on home soil.

Argentina hosted their first-ever World Cup in 1978 in a tournament that boasted a Brazil side consisting of Zico and Rivelino and a West Germany team comprising of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rainer Bonhof.

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But it was a Netherlands side coached by Ernst Happel that Argentina had to overcome in the final in front of a partisan crowd at River Plate's Estadio Monumental.

It was the crowning of their first star. It was the Kempes final.

They say history is written by winners and Kempes was just that, having fired Argentina to the holy grail. His two goals handed Cesar Menotti's side football's biggest prize in a 3-1 win, and superstardom was awaiting him.

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His winner deep into extra-time handed him the prize of top scorer in the tournament with six goals.

But it was not just his goal scoring prowess that endeared him to many. Kempes had a unique skill set and would often start and finish attacks.

A mesmerising figure with his shoulder-length locks and five-foot-11 -inch frame, Kempes would collect the ball in deep areas and surge towards the box with purpose.

His work-rate was unmatched, his strength was undeniable and his finishing was, at times, majestic.

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Kempes was a conventional striker who could play as an attacking midfielder. His skill set was uniquely diverse boasting everything a coach would want from an attacking player.

His efforts at club level in the lead up to the World Cup didn't go unnoticed and Europe's sharks began to circulate for the then Rosario Central star.

In 1976, a mid-table Valencia side swooped for the striker in a move that surprised many. Real Madrid and Barcelona were expected to move for the Argentine and probably wished they had done so when he became La Liga top scorer in each of his first two seasons.

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With the World Cup approaching, Argentina boss Menotti broke his own rule of only selecting players plying their trade in Argentina's domestic league.

The on-fire Kempes was viewed an exception to the rule due to his superb form at the Mestalla and became to only overseas player to made the squad.

Kempes endured a slow start to the tournament after being deployed in a deeper role. Menotti initially opted to take advantage of his surging runs rather than use his at the last man.

He was paired in midfield with former Tottenham star Osvaldo Ardiles, who he would briefly team up with again in North London six-years later.

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The Valencia man had still not found the net after the first two group games and a defeat to Italy in the final group game saw Argentina advance in second place to the second group stage.

Kempes flew out of the blocks as Menotti unleashed him in his favoured striker role and scored twice against Poland.

A goalless draw against Brazil followed before a goal-hungry Argentina inflicted a 6-0 rout on Peru - with Kempes netting twice.

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With the decision made not to stage semi-finals, Kempes' goals fired his country to the top of the group and automatic qualification to the final against the Netherlands.

After the delirium of World Cup glory had died down, he returned to Argentina with River Plate in 1981 before heading back to Spain for a second stint at Valencia.

In 1984, Kempes arrived in north London for a trial at Tottenham Hotspur.

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The World Cup winner lined up for Spurs in an attempt to secure a contract that would have seen him link up with Ardiles at White Hart Lane, replacing compatriot Ricky Villa who departed the previous year.

But the 7-0 win over Enfield did not go the way of Kempes who failed to impress the decision makers at Spurs.

Nowadays, the 68-year-old works as a football analyst and commentator in Spanish for ESPN Deportes and can be heard on the Latin-American version of the FIFA video game franchise.

Kempes will be forever fondly remembered in Argentina's rich football history as the man who sank the Dutch to claim his country's first star.

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