Uruguay have an extraordinary football history like no other nation in the world. A small South American country with a population just shy of three and a half million, Uruguay dominated world football in the 1920s, winning almost every possible tournament, accumulating in becoming the first ever FIFA World Cup winners in 1930.
La Celeste were crowned world champions once more twenty years later, beating Brazil at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro in the 1950 World Cup Final, in what was the highest attended match in World Cup history and one of the biggest upsets in sport.
As a result of their unique history, Uruguay have consistently produced some of the world’s best players. The following list features some of the stars of their two World Cup triumphs, as well as some more familiar modern greats of the game.
15 Martin Caceres
Career Span: 2006-Present
Luisa Gonzalez via Reuters
Martin Caceres’ career has seen him represent some of Europe’s biggest sides. After coming through at Defensor Sporting, Caceres went on to play in La Liga and earned a move to Barcelona, where he won the Champions League, and later Juventus, where he picked up six Serie A titles, with five of those coming consecutively, but injuries prevented him from reaching even greater heights at times.
He was one of Uruguay’s most dependable players across an international career spanning close to twenty years. Capable of playing anywhere across the defensive line, he earned more than 100 caps and helped his country win the 2011 Copa America. He also went to four World Cups, the last of them being the 2022 World Cup as a 35-year-old.
International Stats
Caps
116
Goals
4
14 Ruben Sosa
Career Span: 1984-2004
Ruben Sosa was one of South America’s most exciting attacking talents during the late 1980s and early ’90s. The forward represented Uruguay for more than a decade, winning the Copa America in both 1987 and 1995, and finishing as runner-up in 1989, a tournament in which he was named the best player. Blessed with pace, creativity and a thunderous left foot, Sosa built a fantastic goal catalogue and built a reputation as one of his country’s most dangerous attackers.
At club level, Sosa started out at Danubio before making the move to Europe via Real Zaragoza, where he won the Copa del Rey. His best years, though, came in Italy, where he shone for both Lazio and Inter Milan. Capable of scoring spectacular goals just as easily as he created them for others, he became a fan favourite wherever he went, and is still remembered as one of the finest Uruguayan forwards, before the likes of Diego Forlan, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez came along.
International Stats
Caps
46
Goals
15
13 Federico Valverde
Career Span: 2014-Present
Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters
Federico Valverde has already secured his place among Uruguay’s finest modern footballers, despite still being in the middle of his prime. At club level, the Penarol academy product has turned into one of the best midfielders on the planet at Real Madrid, where he’s often found patrolling the middle of the park after starting out as a right-sided midfielder. He’s won three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies with Los Blancos, and has earned the honour of being their vice-captain. However, with the reduced usage of Dani Carvajal, Valverde is often the one who leads Madrid out.
The role of vice-captain is also one that he carries for his country, representing Uruguay across several Copa America tournaments and World Cups, racking up over 75 caps and winning the FIFA Silver Ball in Qatar. Whether he’s breaking up attacks or driving forward with the ball at his feet, Valverde has developed into one of the best midfielders in the world and consistently proves it.
From Lionel Messi to Diego Maradona, Argentina have time and again produced true greats of the game.
12 Fernando Muslera
Career Span: 2005-Present
Manchester United’s Andre Onana and Galatasaray’s Fernando Muslera
Fernando Muslera has enjoyed one of the longest international careers in Uruguayan football history. The goalkeeper has earned well over 130 caps and played a key role in the side that won the 2011 Copa America, going on to represent his country at five separate World Cups, the most recent coming after he reversed his international retirement to answer the call once again. For almost two decades, he’s been the reassuring presence between the sticks that’s helped Uruguay maintain its reputation for consistency at major tournaments.
His club career has been just as impressive. After making his name at Lazio in Italy, Muslera moved to Galatasaray, where he spent 14 years and became one of the most decorated players in the club’s history, racking up eight Super Lig titles and 11 domestic cups, before eventually moving on to Estudiantes in Argentina.
Godin took his first steps in Europe with Villarreal before making the move to the capital. It was there, under fellow South American Diego Simeone, that Godin won one La Liga title, a Copa del Rey and the Europa League on two occasions. His career then took him to Italy, first with Inter Milan and then Cagliari before a return to South America, eventually retiring in 2023.
International Stats
Caps
161
Goals
8
10 Alcides Ghiggia
Career span: 1945-1967
Uruguay’s last surviving member of their 1950 World Cup-winning team, Alcides Ghiggia passed away on the 16th of July 2015, 65 years on from the crowning moment of his career.
Ghiggia, a diminutive right winger gifted with pace and trickery, provided the final blow in one of greatest upsets in World Cup history, rifling in at the near post what was the winner as Brazil were defeated by unlikely underdogs Uruguay on home soil.
It came to be one of the greatest moments in Uruguay’s sporting history, and one of Brazil’s lowest points, with many Selecao supporters still mourning O Maracanaco (The Great Maracana Disaster) almost 74 years on.
At club level, Ghiggia spent five years with Penarol, winning two Uruguayan Primera Division titles. In Italy, who he later represented at international level, Ghiggia enjoyed eight seasons with Roma, where he is a Hall of Fame member, before joining AC Milan and winning Serie A in 1961/62.
International Stats
Caps
12
Goals
4
9 Edinson Cavani
Career Span: 2005-2026
There aren’t many who’ve worn the Uruguay shirt with the consistency of Edinson Cavani. The striker finished his international career with 136 caps and 58 goals, second only to Luis Suarez in the country’s history, and was part of the side that won the 2011 Copa America and reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup. He was one of the most complete forwards of his generation, and his international career stretched well over 15 years before he eventually called it a day.
His club career took him through some of Europe’s biggest leagues. After prolific spells with Palermo and Napoli in Italy, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain, where he became the club’s all-time top scorer before Kylian Mbappe eventually overtook him. From there he had stints with Manchester United and Valencia, before returning to South America with Boca Juniors to finish his career, a career that includes 25 trophies and over 450 goals.
The blonde-haired number 10 single-handedly led his nation to the semi-finals, where they lost out to the Netherlands. A then 31-year-old Forlan finished as the tournament’s top goalscorer, also winning the Golden Ball for best player and goal of the tournament for his volley from range against Germany in the third-place play-off.
Despite notable spells with Manchester United and a season at Inter, it was in Spain with Villarreal and Atletico Madrid that he was most impactful. Forlan won the European Golden Shoe for the most goals scored in Europe’s top divisions on two occasions, first in his debut season at Villarreal in 2004/05 and then again in 2008/09 with Atletico.
International Stats
Caps
112
Goals
36
7 Enzo Francescoli
Career span: 1980-1997
Nicknamed El Principe (The Prince), Enzo Francescoli is regarded as one of the most gifted playmakers of his generation, playing the majority of his career with Argentinian side River Plate. His performances for River Plate saw him named 1984 South American footballer of the Year, after just one full season at the club.
Francescoli, who is of Italian and Basque origin, was central in Uruguay’s Copa America wins in 1983, 1987 and 1995, winning Player of the Tournament at the first and last of those Copa America triumphs. A technical and creative midfielder, Francescoli made 73 appearances for his country, making him, at the time of his retirement, Uruguay’s most capped outfield player.
After three seasons with River Plate, Francescoli moved to France with RC Paris and then Marseille, where he won the French first division in 1989/90, and was named France Foreign Player of the Year. His career then took him to Italy with Cagliari and Torino before a move back to his beloved River Plate.
International Stats
Caps
73
Goals
17
6 Jose Nasazzi
Career span: 1918-1937
Jose Nasazzi is a name that will forever be written into the history books of football, becoming the first man to ever lift the Jules Rimet Trophy at the inaugural World Cup in 1930. Nicknamed El Gran Mariscal (The Grand Marshal), Nasazzi was named the tournament’s best player as Uruguay brushed aside Yugoslavia in the semi-finals before emerging victorious over neighbouring Argentina in an enthralling final.
The Montevideo-born defender also tasted success in years either side of their World Cup triumph, winning gold at the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games as well as the South American Championships (now Copa America) on four occasions.
TRANSFER NEWS: Ben Jacobs reveals Arsenal are set to bid for Morgan Rogers, with Aston Villa valuing the England attacker at £80m–£100m.
In the latest GMS newsletter, Ben Jacobs breaks down why Morgan Rogers has become Arsenal’s number one target, how Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta view his versatility, and why Aston Villa’s PSR situation could shape the deal.
There are also major updates on Arsenal’s wider transfer plans, including Ayyoub Bouaddi, Jeremy Monga, Julian Alvarez and Bradley Barcola.
Plus, Ben Jacobs has the latest on Liverpool’s push for Yan Diomande, PSG’s involvement, alternative attacking targets, Enzo Fernandez wanting Real Madrid, Manchester United’s interest in Mateus Fernandes, and the midfield battle between Tottenham and Manchester City for Sandro Tonali.
Liverpool want to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig this summer, but getting a deal over the line will not be easy.
The teen sensation is the Reds‘ number one transfer priority in the summer transfer window, with the Anfield outfit needing to strengthen in wide forward areas following the departure of Mohamed Salah and the question marks over Federico Chiesa and Cody Gakpo’s futures.
Diomande has been a shining light for the Ivory Coast at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico so far, winning the man of the match award for the win over Ecuador and impressing in the 2-1 defeat to Germany.
Leipzig price keeps going up for Diomande
Action Images
Liverpool will have to splash big money on the 19-year-old in order to complete a deal, with Leipzig looking for at least €100million to sanction a deal, not that they want to at all.
The German outfit are keen to keep hold of their red-hot forward and have offered him improved contract terms in the hopes of making him stay for at least one more year. The Red Bull side qualified for next season’s Champions League and the hope is that will encourage him to stay put for another year.
Liverpool have already had one bid for the Ivorian turned down, GIVEMESPORT understands it was for €80million plus €20 million in add-ons, so totaling the €100million that the German side were demanding. The Reds are planning to make a second offer in the coming days.
He said: “Liverpool’s perspective is that Diomande is their number one target, but if they cannot get him, and relatively quickly, they’re also prepared to move on.
“It’s not a transfer that Liverpool want to drag on until deadline day, like Alexander Isak when he moved from Newcastle, it’s clarity quickly, and if they can’t get it because the player decides to stay or Leipzig’s price remains at €130million or so, then Liverpool move on to other targets.”
The Diomande alternatives Liverpool could sign this summer
via Reuters
And the Reds already have four other names in the frame when it comes to strengthening their forward line, as revealed by Jacobs.
He continued: “There’s appreciation for Bradley Barcola, so in a backhanded way, if PSG get Diomande, it might open the door for Barcola to move to the Premier League.
“There’s also Matias Fernandez-Pardo [from Lille], Said el Mala [from Koln] and Yankuba Minteh at Brighton, three other names the Reds are looking at.”
Manchester United are in the market to sign a Bundesliga defender in the summer transfer window, according to reports in Germany.
A large percentage of the discourse surrounding United at the moment is around the pursuit of a number of different midfielders.
The Red Devils will likely strengthen in multiple different positions, but it appears that the midfield is a priority position at the moment.
It’s unclear what their next priority will be after bringing in midfielders, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them reinforce the whole squad.
United are back in the Champions League, which means they’ll need a deeper and more competitive squad to deal with the hectic and more difficult fixture schedule.
Signing a centre-back is likely to be low down on United’s shortlist heading into the summer transfer window. Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Matthijs de Ligt are Carrick’s current options at the back. It makes little sense to prioritise a move for a new defender unless somebody is set to leave.
Heaven and Yoro are young talents who are yet to reach their full potential, but they are still more than capable of being squad players and making an impact regularly.
If the opportunity arises to bring in a new defender, United might take it, but it feels unlikely that they will go all out to bring one in this summer.
