José Leandro Andrade

José Leandro Andrade Quiroz (22 November 1901 – 5 October 1957) was a Uruguayan professional footballer who played as a wing-half. He was nicknamed "the Black Marvel" (maravilla negra). During his prime he was regarded as one of the finest players in the world, contributing to the Uruguay national team's domination of international football during the 1920s, winning two consecutive Olympic gold medals and then the inaugural FIFA World Cup he was the first black player to compete in both Olympic football and the World Cup.

Early life

Andrade was born in Salto in 1901 to an Argentine mother (Anastasia Quiroz, also spelled Vázquez). José Ignacio Andrade, who is believed to have been his father, was listed on his birth certificate as a witness. The older Andrade, who was 98 years old at the time of José Leandro Andrade's birth, had been an expert in African magic and is believed to have been an African-born slave who had escaped from Brazil.

At an early age Andrade moved to the Palermo barrio in Montevideo where he lived with an aunt.

Prior to the introduction of professional football in Uruguay he worked in a number of jobs. He at one time worked as a carnival musician playing the drums, violin and tambourine, and at another time led the drums corp for carnival comparsa Libertadores de Africa. At various times in his life he also worked as a shoeshiner and as a newspaper salesman.

Andrade transferred to Peñarol in 1930 where he played only 1 match over the next few years. He had trained with Peñarol as a teenager but had not been accepted.

South American Championship Andrade played in South American Championship (now known as Copa América) winning teams in 1923, 1924 and 1926.

1924 Olympics Andrade won his first Olympic gold medal at the 1924 Olympic football tournament in Paris. He was recognised as being the first black international football player to play Olympic football. He was nicknamed The Black Marvel and The Black Pearl, the latter a name later used in reference to Pelé.

In reaction to the 1924 Olympic win the Uruguayan team were challenged to a two match series by Argentina. In the second match at the Estadio Sportivo Barracas in Buenos Aires, Andrade was pelted with stones by the Argentine crowd to which Andrade and the rest of the Uruguayan team responded by throwing the stones back. In the ensuing riot a member of his team was arrested and the Uruguayans refused to play out the remainder of the match.

1930 FIFA World Cup Despite not being at his peak he managed to be one of Uruguay's best players as they won the 1930 World Cup. At the end of the tournament he was selected in the All-Star team. In 1994, he was selected by France Football as number ten in their World Cup Top-100.

A plaque was placed at the Estadio Centenario in honour of his achievements.

Playing style Andrade was praised for being an intelligent and humble player. His dynamic, fast and highly technical playing style helped him dominate the pitch without the physicality many of his teammates faced.

Honours

Club Nacional Primera División Uruguaya Winner: 1924 Runner-up: 1929 Copa José Serrato Winner: 1923 Peñarol Primera División Uruguaya Winner: 1932, 1935 Runner-up: 1933, 1934

International Uruguay Olympic Games Gold medal: 1924, 1928 FIFA World Cup Winner: 1930 South American Championship Winner: 1923, 1924, 1926 Runner-up: 1927

Individual IFFHS Football Player of the Century: 29th South American Championship: Best Player 1926 FIFA World Cup: Bronze Ball 1930 FIFA World Cup: All-Star Team 1930 International Football Hall of Champions: Inducted in 2001 France Football's World Cup Top-100 1930–1990: 10th IFFHS Uruguayan Men's Dream Team