A classic and powerful center forward, Juan Anselmo was a substitute at the 1928 Olympics but was the undoubted protagonist of the 1930 World Cup victory. Anselmo took over from Pedro Petrone and scored three goals, including two in the semi-final against Yugoslavia. Before the final, he suffered an anxiety crisis and was replaced by Hector Castro. With the national team Anselmo also won the 1935 Copa America and earned a total of eight international caps. With his club, Peñarol, he won five national titles.