Controversy over the type of soccer ball used in the 1930 FIFA World Cup Final between Uruguay and Argentina threatened to derail the inaugural tournament’s highly-competitve final match. With no “official” soccer ball in use for the tournament, both Uruguay and Argentina proposed that their nation’s product be used in the final, hosted in Uruguay’s Estadio Centenario. Uruguay proferred their “T-shape” model, while the Argentina delegation offered their “Tiento” ball. In the end, Argentina was granted use of the tiento in the first half of the tournament, while Uruguay would use their “T-shape” ball in the crucial second half. Argentina cam into the second half of play with a one-goal lead, but Uruguay’s familiarity with their “T-shape” ball spurred the host nation to a historic 4-2 victory over rivals Argentina.

Offered in this lot is a “T-shape” ball used in the 1930 FIFA World Cup hosted by Uruguay. The ball is a Centenario brand, leather T-shape model used in the tournament, with no visible marks. It is accompanied by a four-page official memorandum on the World Cup official ball, dated June 30, 1930, issued by Mr. Santin Carlos Rossi, the then Uruguayan Secretary of Education, and addressed to Dr. Raul Jude, Chairman of the 1930 World Cup Organizing Committee. The ball and set of documents were preserved as a single item since first issued in 1930. This ball shows wear and scuff marks commensurate with use. The leather lace is still attached to the ball, however the soccer ball is not fully laced. This is a historic item from the pitches of the 1930 FIFA World Cup! This item comes with a LOA confirming it is part of the Rony Almeida Soccer Collection.

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