Uruguay’s commanding defensive midfielder and eternal captain Obdulio Varela was presented with this 1950 World Cup medal by the Uruguayan House of Representatives. Varela, a six-time Uruguayan first league champion with Peñarol, expertly led Uruguay during their seminal upset of Brazil in the 1950 World Cup Final at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. When Friaca scored to put Brazil up 1-0 in the second half, Varela passionately argued for an offsides call with the referee long enough to quiet the raucous Brazilian crowd and re-energize La Celeste. Uruguay would go on to score two second half goals, through Juan Alberto Schiaffino and Alcides Ghiggia, to claim their second World Cup title by a score of 2-1.

This rectangular silver medal was presented to Varela by the Uruguayan Camara de Representantes (House of Representatives) in the wake of Uruguay’s World Cup triumph. The medal measures 1.75 x 1.25 inches and features a high relief etching of the Jules Rimet trophy on the front. Etched above the Jules Rimet is “IV Campeonato Mundial de Futbol 1950”. Etched on the back of this historic medal is “Homenaje de la Camara de Representantes”, “Obdulio Varela”, and “Republica O. Del Uruguay”. This exquisite medal originates from the estate of Obdulio Varela. This item comes with a LOA confirming it is part of the Rony Almeida Soccer Collection.

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