33 Legends The football almanac

Héctor Scarone vs Obdulio Varela

Both Uruguay. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

Héctor Scarone

Héctor Scarone

Uruguay · 1917–1930 · SS

Rank in Uruguay
#4 of 33
Caps · Uruguay
52 · 31 goals
Clubs
Club Nacional de Football, FC Barcelona, Palermo
Honours
FIFA World Cup 1930

Tito Borjas shouted "Tuya, Héctor" in the Olympic final replay in Amsterdam on 13 June 1928, and the pass became the goal that beat Argentina 2-1 for gold. Career record: 52 caps and 31 goals for Uruguay; club career at Club Nacional de Football, FC Barcelona, Palermo; honours include FIFA World Cup 1930.

Career sourcesCareer dates · checked 4 October 2026
Honours · checked 4 October 2026
Identity and career · Wikidata Q318172
vs
Obdulio Varela

Obdulio Varela

Uruguay · 1939–1954 · CB

Rank in Uruguay
#8 of 33
Caps · Uruguay
45 · 9 goals
Clubs
Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club, Club Atlético Peñarol
Honours
FIFA World Cup 1950

After Friaça put Brazil ahead at the Maracanã on 16 July 1950, Varela tucked the ball under his arm and walked to referee George Reader to argue an offside he later admitted never existed, buying the minutes it took the stadium to fall silent. Uruguay won that final 2-1, and El Negro Jefe had already been named best player of the 1942 South American Championship, adding six Uruguayan titles with Peñarol. Career record: 45 caps and 9 goals for Uruguay; club career at Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club, Club Atlético Peñarol; honours include FIFA World Cup 1950.

Career sourcesCareer dates · checked 4 October 2026
Honours · checked 4 October 2026
Identity and career · Wikidata Q471743
Your view · Which career speaks to you?

A personal choice. Cast votes in the national duels below.

The careers, side by side

Héctor Scarone is editorial rank 4 and Obdulio Varela rank 8 in Uruguay's collection. Read the careers and make your own choice.

Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.