Uruguay is a South American country that borders Argentina and Brazil. They are regarded as one of the best teams in soccer history following their exploits at the FIFA World Cup and Copa America, which they have won a handful of times. This South American football powerhouse has produced many exceptional players over the years. This article discusses the greatest Uruguayan football players of all time.
1. Luis Suarez
The enigmatic Uruguayan forward is arguably the most talented player to have come out of the modest South American nation.
The controversial superstar is blessed with extraordinary skills and ball-playing, which have made him one of the most feared strikers in modern-day football.
Suarez’s pace, dribbling skills, and close ball control have made him an absolute terror to opposition defenders.
Luis has played and won numerous titles for some of the best clubs in the world, like Liverpool, FC Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid. El Pistolero is the all-time Uruguayan national team’s highest goal scorer, with 68 goals so far to his name.
2. Diego Godin
The Uruguayan captain is arguably the best centre-back that his country has ever produced.
Godin is a tough, no-nonsense defender who has played for various top European sides like Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan.
Diego currently holds the record for the highest number of caps for the Uruguayan national team, with 159 caps so far. He will be hoping to lead his country to the World Cup that will hold later in the year. After that, could be among the footballers who could retire in 2022.
3. Oscar Miguez
The late Uruguayan international was one of their best ever strikers who played at the 1950 and 1954 World Cup. Oscar is currently Uruguay’s highest all-time goal scorer at the World Cup with 8 goals.
Miguez was part of the Le Celeste squad that beat Brazil on home soil in 1950 to claim a shock world cup title.
4. Edinson Cavani
The Manchester United and Uruguay striker is one of the deadliest marksmen to have played in the modern era.
Cavani is a prolific forward known for his intelligent movement and strength in the air. The 35-year-old is one of the longest-serving and greatest goal scorers on the Uruguayan national team, with 54 goals in 130 appearances.
Edinson will be hoping to finish on a high with the national team as he will be aiming to make the squad for the world cup later in the year.
5. Hector Scarone
Scarone was one of the first footballing heroes of the Uruguayan national team, following a career that spanned 13 years between 1917-1930.
El Mago was a great striker who helped his country win numerous international trophies, including 4 Copa Americas (1917, 1923, 1924, 1926), 2 Olympic gold medals (1924, 1928), and a FIFA World Cup triumph in 1930.
Hector ended his career with Le Celeste in 1930 after scoring 31 goals in 51 appearances.
6. Diego Forlán
Diego Forlán is considered to be one of the best players of his generation and is undoubtedly one of the greatest Uruguayan players of all time.
Forlán achieved tremendous success at both club and country.
With the Uruguay national team, he led the to a third-place finish at the 2010 World Cup, finishing as the joint top scorer with five goals, winning the goal of the tournament and the golden ball as the tournament’s best player.
At club level, Forlán played for top European teams such as Villarreal, Manchester United, and Atletico Madrid. He is won the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe twice each at club level.
7. José Nasazzi
José Nasazzi was a former captain and defender of the Uruguayan national team, ad he led Uruguay to victory at 1924 Olympics, 1928 Olympics, and 1930 FIFA World Cup.
He also won the South American Championship (now Copá America) with Uruguay in 1923, 1924, 1926, and 1935.
In 1999, Nasazzi was named in World Soccer’s 100 Greatest Footballers of All Time.
