Obdulio Varela
|
Varela with Uruguay | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Obdulio Jacinto Muiños Varela | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | September 20, 1917 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Montevideo, Uruguay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | August 2, 1996 (aged 78) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Holding midfielder, Centre back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1936–1938 | Deportivo Juventud | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1938–1943 | Montevideo Wanderers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1943–1955 | Peñarol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1939–1954 | Uruguay | 45 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1955 | Peñarol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obdulio Jacinto Muiños Varela (Spanish pronunciation: [oβˈðuljo βaˈɾela]; September 20, 1917 — August 2, 1996) was a Uruguayan football player. He was the captain of the Uruguay national team that won the 1950 World Cup after beating Brazil in the decisive final round match popularly known as the Maracanazo. He was nicknamed "El Negro Jefe" (The Black Chief) because of his dark skin and the influence he had on the pitch, especially during the unlikely victory over Brazil. He was of African, Spanish and Greek ancestry. Commonly regarded as one of the greatest classic holding midfielders, Varela was adept in defence and was renowned for his tenacity and leadership. He is regarded as one of the greatest captains in football history, and "he remains one of the biggest sporting heroes in Uruguay".