José Leandro Andrade

One of the greatest talents of the South American football school, José Leandro Andrade was a talented and tactical winger who earned the nickname of “La Maravilla Negra” (The Black Wonder). He made his début at age 16 in Bella Vista, a club for whom he played until 1928, and then moved on to Nacional and Penarol. He then joined Atlanta Wanderers, again in Bella Vista, and finished his career with Montevideo Wanderers.

Andrade won two Olympic gold medals and led Uruguay to the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup. He also won three America’s Cups (1923-24, 1926). With the Uruguayan national team, he played 33 international matches in all and scored only one goal, but it was memorable: against France, in 1924, after having dribbled past six opponents. Nationally, he won a title in 1932 with Penarol. With José Nasazzi, Hector Scarone, and Pedro Cea, he was one of four to play and win at the 1924-28 Olympics and the 1930 World Cup.