Name: Obdulio Jacinto Muiños Varela
Nickname: "El Negro Jefe"Country: Uruguay
Club: C.A. Peñarol
Number: 5
Position: *DMF, CMF, CB
Side: RF/BS
Age: 31-33 years (20/09/1917)
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Attack: 71
Defence: 83
Balance: 90
Stamina: 87
Top Speed: 77
Acceleration: 75
Response: 83
Agility: 75
Dribble Accuracy: 79
Dribble Speed: 75
Short Pass Accuracy: 85
Short Pass Speed: 78
Long Pass Accuracy: 79
Long Pass Speed: 75
Shot Accuracy: 72
Shot Power: 85
Shot Technique: 70
Free Kick Accuracy: 68
Curling: 69
Header: 80
Jump: 82
Technique: 82
Aggression: 68
Mentality: 99
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 90
Injury Tolerance: B
Condition: 7
Weak Foot Accuracy: 5
Weak Foot Frequency: 5
Consistency: 8
Growth type: Early/Lasting
CARDS:
S07 - Man Marking
S09 - Covering
P02 - Anchor Man
P12 - Enforcer
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Marking - Covering - Centre
Attack/Defence Awareness Card: BalancedINFO:Known as the “Negro Jefe”, Obdulio Jacinto Varela emerged as a centerhalf and senior player at Deportivo Juventud. He got his nickname in the River Plate region ever since, contradicting every tip, Uruguay beat Brazil in the World Cup final of 1950 in the Maracana stadium in Rio. Uruguay came back and scored twice to win the title in front of a world-record 200.000 spectators.
That win is recalled as a miracle and made Obdulio Varela immortal in the eyes of the Uruguayan people. In 1940, 1946 and 1948, the Uruguayan team led by him had won the Baron de Rio Branco Cup and his club team Peñarol had won the Uruguayan league championship on six occasions. He was 37 when the national team travelled to Switzerland to defend their title in 1954. Varela was then the oldest ever player to have appeared in a World Cup, but that didn’t affect his game.
Obdulio ended his World Cup career unbeaten in seven matches and many people believe a full strength Uruguay team would have beaten the magic Hungarians. A natural, street-wise and self-made man, he made the most of what he had and became a soccer legend and one of the best captains in the sport ever.
Before the match, Varela delivered an emotional speech about how they must face all the odds and not to be intimidated by the fans or the opposing team. The speech, as was later confirmed, played a huge part in the final outcome of the game. In response to his squad's underdog status, the captain delivered the memorable line, "Muchachos, los de afuera son de palo. Que comience la función", which could be translated as "Boys, outsiders don't play. Let the show begin".
Varela was finally subdued, then took the ball to the center of the field, and shouted to his team, "Now, it's time to win!".
At the Maracana packed as ever there was an absurdity, a delirious number five tall, narrow shoulders and shook his head proudly erect his shirt and ran down the court yelling, "Follow me !!!".
The captain of a football team is not only a wide band on his right arm, is the team's flag, the banner. Is solely responsible for talking to the referee, and usually is the one that lifted the morale of their colleagues in case of a temporary defeat, if he ever thinks of a fixture to perform "The Great Dictionary of Football" next the word master should put a picture of Obdulio Varela. One of the many anecdotes of the Final which Obdulio Varela, is the fact that after a string of violent fouls committed by Brazil against Uruguay Ghiggia Bigod, Obdulio gets tired and the passivity of the arbitrator decides to take justice into their own hands and punish him with a kick in the ankles. While Bigod was writhing in pain on the floor, bent down and Varela said, "... Did you see?, Voce started now if male aguántesela ...".
Legend even have to appear in the history books, which are then converted by the Brazilian goal in the final Friaça the world, toured Obdulio thirty meters that separated him from the ball, which rested on the back of the net, slowly but firmly, once came to her, grabbed her arms and placed it under his right armpit and in this way and with the same gait as before, was to claim a nonexistent offside and the linesman thus carried the ball to midcourt, as the captain approached the center of the field, the 200,000 spectators stopped to look at local scorer and were quieting gradually until completely mute when it deposited the ball Varela the center of the stadium, then called the referee and asked for a translator, discussed the forward position for several minutes. In this way achieved the goal of cooling the party also at that very moment, without any speeches, he inoculated his ten companions a shot of encouragement, and from that moment began to take shape the Uruguayan raised the cry of: "Now, we will win the game."
Great story about this true football legend.In the locker room of Uruguay in the moments prior to the match, coach Juan López determined that a defensive strategy would be the most adequate way to face the powerful offensive line of Brazil. After he left, Obdulio Varela, captain of the team, stood up and addressed the team himself, saying "Juanito is a good man, but today, he is wrong. If we play defensively against Brazil, our fate will be no different than Spain or Sweden". Varela then gave an emotional speech about how they must face all the odds and not to be intimidated by the fans or the opposing team. The speech, as was later confirmed, played a huge part in the final outcome of the game.In July 2000, while on holiday in Uruguay, it seemed entirely appropriate to visit the cemetery on the Mount, as they met that same day, the fiftieth anniversary of one of the greatest feats in the history of world football: the Maracana. In front of one of the many tombs of the cemetery, I remembered the first time he had heard of this mortal whose final resting place was hidden behind that piece of variegated marble.
The first story that ran through my mind was to do with Pipo Rossi, that Argentine midfield dominating the game and the referees. Pipo commented that playing a Peñarol River, tried repeatedly to "take advantage" of the college, until one of the many heard at the height of his neck a dull roar that froze the bowels, somehow the good Rossi turned on itself until attended to see face to face with a "dark Hercules" who stared at him. Pipo only had time to articulate these words before removing the ships: Excuse me sir ... I did not want ... recognizing that it was one of the most ridiculous situations throughout his career, arguing the following in his apology: it is the "Hercules "Back was the great Obdulio Varela. This story was the first of many and I years later led me to write this short article, which discussed some of the most significant milestones in a unique figure, both within and outside the court.
On September 20, 1917 born in the humble neighborhood of La Teja, Montevideo, Muiños Obdulio Jacinto Varela (that surname!) Begins to play amateur football teams in his neighborhood, until in 1937 the semi Wanderens tab. It is in this square where young Obdulio will leave a strong impression of nature: In the course of a match, an opponent commits a brutal attack against one of his teammates, the referee called the infraction, but instead left unwarned, Obdulio it takes the ball and is situated opposite the school and rebuked as follows: "If you give the event that any member of my team act in a similar manner I urge you to send him to the locker room because I, as captain, no could tolerate acts of this magnitude. "
Another great example of the personality of the captain of Wanderens illustrates the following anecdote: one day someone quoted him and offers to go to $ 3,500 less in the next game. Obdulio puts the attention of its president, commenting that if there is any doubt about his behavior on the pitch, he is determined not to play the game. Your bid is rejected and Peñarol won 1-0 at Black Head and figure stars. On leaving the field the president asked the five Wanderens that is what you want to change, Obdulio replies: 10 cents to pay the tab for Peñarol 1943 tranvía.En samples and fellowship of our protagonist does not demonstrate Children: In 1945, the Board of Peñarol, after a victory against River, decides to reward all players with 250 pesos, and double to Obdulio Varela, captain and leading figure of the team. The joy was complete, everyone was happy ... but one who argued: "I did not play no more and no less than anyone. If you believe that I deserved 500 pesos, you give all 500 pesos. If they deserved to 250 pesos, me too." Peñarol finally decided to reward with 500 pesos to each of the players.
In the hot July 1950 figure of Obdulio Varela be further amplified. Uruguay arrives in Brazil with a selected barely had played together. The team is a band, proof of this is that some players go to the championship of the world by boat, while the rest is done in avión.Con more pain than glory, but always punchy, Uruguay is cast in the final, where Maracana expected them to overflowing, with over 200 000 to support the Brazilian soul. To the directors of the federation Uruguayan goal is fulfilled and thus make it known to the Uruguayan captain: "Try to put you no more than six goals, with four of us settle for." Obdulio's response is immediate, take the manager's arm and forced out of the locker room. Before leaving the field said to his companions: "The 200,000 do not play out there are wooden." Once in the tunnel Obdulio as captain of the Uruguayan team should be the first to jump into the field, but as good Galician lazy and makes comments on Ghiggia: today you will receive the largest ovation of your entire career. Said and done: When the Brazilian team jumps to lawn accompanied by the Uruguayan team does not hear a single beep all are clapping. Obdulio just score the first goal of the final.Durante the clash, the Brazilian team dominates and is in the second half when Jair enables Friaça for this mark at 1-0 200 000 jalean goal throats, clap, dance ... While , slowly, the "Black Chief" comes to remove the ball from the back of the net. Without quicken the pace and with the ball under his arm goes to college. Takes more than a minute after the Brazilian goal. Obdulio Varela insistently calls a non-existent offside, the referee does not understand, Obdulio insist ... and two minutes pass from the goal. Sign an interpreter, the Uruguayan captain is in his thirteenth, the referee gave no ... three minutes pass. For when the translator is withdrawn, the meeting has cooled Obdulio four minutes, the 200,000 people who have been crammed Maracana frost, 200 011 people will begin to shake their legs. Obdulio Varela put the ball in midfield and a Sciaffino says: "Well Joe, it's over, now let's beat these 'Japanese' (all Japanese aliens were called, perhaps reminiscent of World War I). Minutes later, five of Uruguay, gave a gold ball and this Sciaffino embed it across the square. The 200,000 gorges that fill Maracana fail any sound. Ten minutes from time Ghiggia, individual move, achieves two -1 definitive in that time 200 million Brazilians cry inconsolably. Later Ghiggia comment itself: only three people were silent Maracana, the Pope, Frank Sinatra and yo.Finalizado the party issuing the joy in Uruguay is unleashed, the most glad all is that visionary and beaten manager who bet on a four to zero against, the same who later autoconcederá a gold medal for his title. The protagonists of the deed will also be yours ... but silver. Obdulio not can withstand so much hypocrisy and is walking in the streets of Rio, is aware of the sentence distressed to Brazil, because at that hour of the night is known cases of suicides and heart attacks, and the "black head" can not avoid empathize with the pain of others. Walk into a bar and asks for a 'cane' (sugar cane liquor), Rio fans acknowledge him, and the Uruguayan captain fears for him. On the contrary, the twisted acclaimed him like a hero they were local and accompanies by Copacabana beach bars late into the night. Already in Uruguay Obdulio hosting bypasses the airport and walked up to her house. The reward for victory is a silver medal and enough dollars to buy Ford's 31 vehicle that barely lasts a week ... we discussed that Teja, by then, was a neighborhood that "humildeEste delightful story will have its epilogue in Switzerland, where in 1954 Uruguay will conduct the defense of world championship title. After a memorable match against England, the selection charrúa reaches the semifinals. But a bad referee allows play to Black Head the next match against Hungary Czibor, Kcosis, Puskas, etc. Uruguay loses out to a of the best teams in history, but not before making an epic comeback, from initial 2-0, in favor of the Hungarians a 2-2 final. Later, in overtime, Schiaffino star a couple of balls in poles, only Rodriguez Andrade's injury makes it easier to Kocsis who scored twice in the last minute. After the game the question asked was the football world: what have happened to be Obdulio Varela in the field? , a man who, with the elastic charrúa never met defeat in a mundial.Finalizado the meeting, the coach of Hungary Gyula Mandi confessed: "We have defeated not only the best team in the world but to me has ever faced." And a server fifty years later dares to comment, and all without the participation of Obdulio Varela, Oscar Miguez, "punished for indiscipline-leading scorer at the World Uruguayan 1950 and 1954 (eight goals), and embarked on his Alcides Ghiggia adventure italiana.El rest of the story is limited to a German victory that will proclaim to the world champion Hungary ... in short, things football and WM damn!
So why ... Obdulio Varela: Galego
Final review:
Obdulio Varela is one of the most colorful figures in the history of the game of football. He is best remembered as the inspirational captain of Uruguay's national team which opposed the heavily favored Brazilians in the final match of the 1950 World Cup, in front of over two hundred thousand fans at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil entered the final match of the mini-league final round needing only a draw to become World Champions. Although Uruguay had done well to that point, the Brazilians had, by all accounts, played at a higher level, and were expected to win easily. Nobody at the Maracana, or in all of Brazil, was prepared for what ensued. As expected, Brazil dominated the first half, but the Uruguayan defense held. Five minutes into the second half, Brazil opened the score and the stadium erupted into celebrations. What happened next was an act of gamesmanship which turned Varela into a legend of the game. To the astonishment of the crowd and the Brazilian payers, Varela slowly picked up the ball from the back of the net and would not relinquish it. He told his teammates, 'We are not starting again until this place becomes a cemetery'. He went over to the ref and began arguing an offside which he knew had not existed. When the ref threatened to throw him out, he pretended not to understand him. He did all he could think of in order to delay the restart of the match. Slowly, the crowd began to quiet down and the celebrations turned into jeers. The mood had shifted. Only when there was complete silence, Varela gathered his teammates and told them, 'Ok, now we are ready. Let's go win the match.' Later Varela would say: 'I did what I had to do. We needed to calm down. If we had restarted right away, Brazil would have scored five on us'. Whether the incident was a factor, what happened is that against all odds Uruguay went on to score two goals, both on plays started by Varela. To the astonishment of the crowd, Uruguay won the match and the World Cup in one of the more memorable upsets of all time, remembered in popular lore as 'El Maracanazo'. Those who followed Varela's career are not surprised by the incident. He was known as a player who would do whatever it took to win. Years after his retirement, the Argentine magazine 'El Grafico' offered the following: 'We cannot say if Varela was the best Uruguayan player in history, nor if he was the best centre-half of all time. At this position there have been players who possesed better technique, players who had more vitality, players who were more cerebral. But nobody, in Uruguay or anywhere else in the world, has ever reached his dimention as a 'caudillo' (an undisputed leader).' Varela's game combined strong aggressive marking and ball recovery in midfield, a very strong air game, an efficient distribution of the ball, and a constant pushing forward of his teammates. The last was perhaps his best quality. While his physical and technical conditions were not as impressive as those of some of his contemporaries, he was without peer as an inspirational captain and unquestionable team leader. Varela began his proffesional career in Deportivo Juventud in 1936, at age 19. That same year he moved to Montevideo Wanderers. In 1943 he was adquired by Penarol, and he played for them until his retirement in 1955. During that time he won six Uruguayan titles and became, more than any other player in Uruguay's rich tradition, a symbol of his country's football. In addition to winning the World Cup in 1950, Varela led Uruguay to three South American titles. He also represented his country at the World Cup of 1954, in Switzerland, at the age of 37. In that tournament, he led his team to remarkable victories over Chekoslovakia (2-0), Scotland (7-0), and in the quarterfinals over the powerful English team (4-2). In the match against England, he picked up a leg injury. At the time there were no substitutions allowed. He remained in the game and played most of the 90 minutes heavily bandaged. Varela was not fit to play in the key semifinal match against the favored Hungarians, which Uruguay lost 4-2 in overtime. We can only speculate about Uruguay's chances against the mighty Magyars, had Varela played. As it was, he ended his World Cup career unbeaten in seven matches. After his retirement and a very short coaching stint at Penarol, Varela, (who was always a man of few words), became somewhat of a recluse. The few times he spoke, he did not hide his bitterness towards the football establishment of his country, whom he claimed had betrayed him and broken all the promises they had made him.. For many years he refused to have anything to do with the game, and claimed that he didn't even follow it anymore. Fortunately for the fans, he emerged from his self-imposed exile to attend the 94 World Cup in the United States, where he received a long overdue recognition from FIFA. Obdulio Varela died August 2nd, 1996. For as long as football is played and discussed, he will be remember as one of the game's brightest figures, one of the great field leaders of all time.