José Leandro Andrade vs Obdulio Varela
Uruguay against Uruguay. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
José Leandro Andrade
Uruguay · 1923–30 · RB
- Almanac rating
- 92
- Rank in Uruguay
- #5 of 33
- Caps
- 34 · 1 goals
- Clubs
- C.A. Bella Vista, Club Nacional de Football, Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club
Paris gave him his name in 1924, when he became the first black footballer to appear in the Olympic tournament and left the city calling him la Maravilla Negra. He won gold at those Games and again in Amsterdam in 1928, the 1930 World Cup with a place in the tournament's all-star team, three South American Championships in 1923, 1924 and 1926, and four Uruguayan league titles with Nacional. Career record: 34 caps and 1 goals for Uruguay; club career at C.A. Bella Vista, Club Nacional de Football, Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club.
Obdulio Varela
Uruguay · 1942–50 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 91
- Rank in Uruguay
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 45 · 9 goals
- Clubs
- Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club, Club Atlético Peñarol
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.
The verdict
The almanac puts José Leandro Andrade ahead by 1 rating point, 92 against 91.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.