José Nasazzi

Career Nasazzi (first from left, at bottom) with the Uruguay team in 1926. He was born in Bella Vista, Montevideo to Giuseppe, an Italian immigrant from Esino Lario (near Lecco), and María Jacinta Yarza from the Basque Country of Spain.

Nasazzi is regarded by many as Uruguay's greatest ever football player. He was known as El Gran Mariscal ("The Great Marshal"), and had already won the gold medal at the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games, as well as the South American Championship in 1923, 1924, and 1926, by the time of the first World Cup. On individual level, he was selected as best player at FIFA World Cup 1930 and twice (1923 and 1935) at South American Championship (the predecessor of Copa America).

During the 1930 FIFA World Cup tournament, Uruguay's only serious rivals were their neighbors Argentina. After defeating Peru and Romania in the first round, Uruguay defeated Yugoslavia 6–1 in the semi-finals to set up a final against Argentina. Although his team were 2–1 behind at half-time, Nasazzi rallied his teammates in the second half, leading them to a 4–2 victory and making himself the first captain to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Although Uruguay refused to defend their title in 1934, Nasazzi won the South American Championship again (in 1935), before retiring in 1936 with 41 international appearances. Throughout his career at Nacional, he played 110 matches and scored 10 goals, including friendlies.

Nasazzi's Baton Nasazzi's Baton is an unofficial title named after José similar to the Unofficial Football World Championship. It is said to have been held by Uruguay after the first World Cup, and subsequently to have been taken over by any team to beat the holders over 90 minutes in a full international match.

Honours Club Lito Uruguayan Intermedia: 1917, 1920

Roland Moor Uruguayan 3era Extra: 1921

Nacional Primera División: 1933 – 1937; 1925: European Tour with Nacional; 1927: US Tour with Nacional.

International Uruguay FIFA World Cup: 1930 Football at the Summer Olympics: 1924, 1928 South American Championship: 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935

Individual Best player at the South American Championship: 1923, 1935 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 1930 France Football's World Cup Top-100 1930–1990, 56th: 1994 IFFHS South American Footballer of the Century, 26th: 1999 World Soccer's 100 Greatest Footballers of All Time, 75th: 1999 RSSSF Uruguay All-Time Team: 1999 Copa América Historical Dream Team: 2011 IFFHS Uruguayan Men's Dream Team