Obdulio Varela
Uruguayan footballer (1917-1996) · Uruguay · On the map · Footballers · Died at 78
Obdulio Jacinto Muiños Varela 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.
Obdulio Varela is read about 85 times a day, in 38 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 10 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 116 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?People around Obdulio
Close ties
Alcides Ghiggia Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1948-1953
Juan Alberto Schiaffino Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1943-1954
Óscar Míguez Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1948-1955
Roque Máspoli Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1943-1955
Víctor Rodríguez Andrade Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1952-1955
Juan Hohberg Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1949-1955- Juan Carlos González Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1944-1955
- Julio César Britos Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1947-1953
Ernesto Vidal Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1944-1953
Julio Abbadie Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1950-1955- Washington Ortuño Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1946-1951
- Mirto Davoine Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1948-1955
José María Medina Teammate at Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club, 1939-1943
Nicolás Falero Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1945-1950- Luis Prais Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1944-1949
- Oscar Chirimini Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1943-1947
Matías González Teammate at Uruguay national team, 1949-1954- Rodolfo Pini Teammate at Uruguay national team, 1944-1950
Luis Cruz Teammate at Uruguay national team, 1946-1954
Luis Ernesto Castro Teammate at Uruguay national team, 1942-1954
Segundo Villadóniga Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1947-1950- Elmo Bovio Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1944-1946
Ernesto Ledesma Teammate at Club Atlético Peñarol, 1953-1955- Tomaso Luis Volpi Teammate at Uruguay national team, 1940-1946
Career 3
Media & music
Photos 1
About this person
He 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. 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. He is regarded as one of the greatest captains in football history, and "he remains one of the biggest sporting heroes in Uruguay".
On the same team as Obdulio
Enzo FrancescoliAlso played for Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club
Óscar TabárezAlso played for Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol ClubMaximiliano AraújoAlso played for Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club
Sebastián EgurenAlso played for Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club
Gus PoyetAlso played for Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club
José Leandro AndradeAlso played for Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club