Obdulio Jacinto Muinos Varela was a Uruguayan football player.
11 Facts About Obdulio Varela
2.
Obdulio Varela 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.
3.
Obdulio Varela was nicknamed "El Negro Jefe" because of his dark skin and the influence he had on the pitch, especially during the unlikely victory over Brazil.
4.
Commonly regarded as one of the greatest classic holding midfielders, Varela was adept in defence and was renowned for his tenacity and leadership.
5.
Obdulio Varela is regarded as one of the greatest captains in football history, and "he remains one of the biggest sporting heroes in Uruguay".
6.
Obdulio Varela, born in Montevideo, emerged as a centre half and senior player at Deportivo Juventud, club which he joined in 1936.
7.
Obdulio Varela debuted in first division with Montevideo Wanderers in 1938.
8.
Obdulio Varela played 45 international matches for Uruguay from 1939 to 1954, in which he scored nine goals.
9.
Five minutes in the second half, Brazil scored, and Obdulio Varela took scene, when he intentionally walked slowly to his goal, picked up the ball and then argued with the English referee George Reader about a nonexistent offside, with the intention of delaying the restart of the game so the crowd cooled off.
10.
Obdulio Varela's remains are buried at Cementerio del Cerro, Montevideo.
11.
Obdulio Varela was among the 13 best South American players of the 20th century according to the IFFHS' Century Elections.