The first ever international soccer match between the fierce continental rivals Uruguay and Argentina was played at the Paso del Molino in Montevideo on May 16th, 1901. This game was organized by the tenants of Paso del Molino, Albion FC, and featured nine Albion players and two Club Nacional players turning out for the Uruguayan XI. The visiting Argentina team won this match 3-2, igniting soccer’s fiercest international rivalry. Today, the Clásico del Río de la Plata is the most played international derby in global soccer, with 192 official matches played. While this match is not considered an official game of the Uruguayan national soccer team due to Albion FC being the sole organizers of the match, it was the first international soccer match played outside the borders of the United Kingdom. Albion FC, founded in 1891, still exists today as the oldest soccer team in Uruguay – older than the Philadelphia Athletics and New York Yankees, for example.

Offered in this lot is the soccer ball used during the inaugural Uruguay and Argentina match in 1901. This ball is a “button-end” model held together by laces. The ball features eight leather panels and remains in good condition despite its venerable age and use. This monumental soccer ball is a tremendous piece of South America’s living history. This item comes with a LOA confirming it is part of the Rony Almeida Soccer Collection.

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