José Santamaría vs Obdulio Varela
Uruguay against Uruguay. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
José Santamaría
Uruguay · 1954–66 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 91
- Rank in Uruguay
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 20 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Club Nacional de Football, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
Madrid's press called him El Muro, and he earned it across 337 matches for the club, having already done the rare thing of playing a World Cup for Uruguay in 1954 and another for Spain in 1962. He won four European Cups with Real Madrid in 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1966, six Spanish league titles, the 1960 Intercontinental Cup and a Copa del Generalísimo. Career record: 20 caps and 0 goals for Uruguay; club career at Club Nacional de Football, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol.
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 cannot separate them: both are rated 91.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.