Obdulio Varela

Obdulio Varela

Varela with Uruguay
Personal information
Full name	Obdulio Jacinto Muiños Varela
Date of birth	(1917-09-20)September 20, 1917
Place of birth	Montevideo, Uruguay
Date of death	August 2, 1996(1996-08-02) (aged 78)
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
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 Men's football Representing  Uruguay FIFA World Cup Winner 1950 Brazil Copa América Winner 1942 Uruguay Runner-up 1939 Peru Runner-up 1941 Chile
*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.^[2] He is regarded as one of the greatest captains in football history,^[3] and "he remains one of the biggest sporting heroes in Uruguay".^[4]