Nasazzi (first from left, at bottom) with the Uruguay team in 1926.
He was born in Bella Vista, Montevideo to Giuseppe, an Italian immigrant fromEsino Lario (nearLecco), and María Jacinta Yarza from theBasque Country of Spain.[3][4]
Nasazzi is regarded by many asUruguay's greatest ever football player.[5] He was known asEl Gran Mariscal ("The GreatMarshal"), and had already won the gold medal at the1924 and1928 Olympic Games,[6] as well as theSouth American Championship in1923,1924, and1926, by the time of the firstWorld Cup. On individual level, he was selected as best player at FIFA World Cup 1930 and twice (1923 and 1935) at South American Championship (the predecessor of Copa America).
During the1930 FIFA World Cup tournament, Uruguay's only serious rivals were their neighborsArgentina. After defeatingPeru andRomania in the first round, Uruguay defeatedYugoslavia 6–1 in the semi-finals to set up a final against Argentina. Although his team were 2–1 behind at half-time, Nasazzi rallied his teammates in the second half, leading them to a 4–2 victory and making himself the first captain to lift theJules Rimet Trophy.
Although Uruguay refused to defend their title in 1934, Nasazzi won the South American Championship again (in1935), before retiring in 1936 with 41 international appearances. Throughout his career atNacional, he played 110 matches and scored 10 goals, including friendlies.[7]
Nasazzi's Baton is an unofficial title named after José similar to theUnofficial Football World Championship. It is said to have been held by Uruguay after the first World Cup, and subsequently to have been taken over by any team to beat the holders over 90 minutes in a full international match.[8]
^Chiesa, Carlo F. (22 August 1999). "We are the champions – I 150 fuoriclasse che hanno fatto la storia del calcio" [The 150 champions that made football's history].Calcio 2000 (in Italian). Action Group S.r.l.
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