Isabelino Gradín
Encyclopedia
Isabelino Gradín was a Uruguay
an footballer and athlete. He was one of the greatest footballers in the early era of Uruguayan football and is regarded as one of the greatest Uruguayan
players before the Uruguayan win at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
. He played in the first South American Championship
held in Argentina, where Uruguay became the first champions of the tournament. On July 2 of that tournament against Chile, where Uruguay would go onto win 4-0, Gradin and team mate Juan Delgado became the first black players in history to be fielded in an international tournament. Gradin was also part of the Uruguayan winning team of the 1917 South American Championship. He was also a four-time South American athletics champion in the 400
and 200 metres
sprint.
in Montevideo.
in 1915 where he immediately made an impression, gaining selection for the national team in his first year. Over the course of his career he played in Uruguayan League championship in 1918 and in 1921. He played 212 games for Aurinegros, scoring 101 goals. After a dispute with the club he walked away from Peñarol in 1921.
In 1922 he was involved in the founding of the new Olimpia FC
(later known as River Plate). Gradín played at Olimpia until his retirement from football in 1929 though his focus in his later career was on athletics rather than football.
in Montevideo.
Gradín's racial background became an issue with Chile
complaining before and after their match with Uruguay that the Uruguayans were unfairly selecting "Africans". They were unhappy with the selection of Gradín and his team mate Juan Delgado. The complaints were particularly bitter after Gradín scored two goals in Uruguay's 4–0 defeat of the Chileans. Gradín scored his third goal of the tournament in Uruguay's defeat of Brazil which won Uruguay the championship.
prevailed over Uruguay in the playoff final which is recorded as the longest game in history: Brazil 1 - Uruguay 0 (150 minutes = 90 +15 +15 +15 +15).
Gradín's presence as a black man in the Uruguayan team in Brazil was a matter of much controversy given the Brazilian reluctance to select black players in their national teams. Many black Brazilians vociferously supported Gradín despite the fact that he was from a rival country.
By the time he played his last international in July 1927, against Argentina in Montevideo, he had played 24 times for the national teams, scoring 10 goals. He refused selection for the Uruguayan team to the 1928 Olympic Games
.
Gradín's playing style inspired Peru
vian poet Juan Parra del Riego to compose a poem Polirritmo al jugador de fútbol in his honour.
At the 1919 South American Championships in Athletics
he won gold medals for the 200 metre and 400 metre sprints.
He followed up his 1919 success at the 1920 South American Championships in Athletics
by successfully defending both his 200 and 400 metres titles.
In 1922 at the unofficial South American Championships known as the Campeonato Latino-Americano, Gradín won a gold medal in the 400 metres sprint.
A biography of his life was released in 2000 by Uruguayan author Carina Blixen entitled Isabelino Gradín : testimonio de una vida.
A square in Montevideo is named in his honour. In 2009 a memorial star was placed in the square by the Montevideo local government.
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an footballer and athlete. He was one of the greatest footballers in the early era of Uruguayan football and is regarded as one of the greatest Uruguayan
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
players before the Uruguayan win at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
. He played in the first South American Championship
Copa América
The Copa América —previously known as South American Championship—is an international football competition contested between the men's national teams of CONMEBOL, the sport's continental governing body...
held in Argentina, where Uruguay became the first champions of the tournament. On July 2 of that tournament against Chile, where Uruguay would go onto win 4-0, Gradin and team mate Juan Delgado became the first black players in history to be fielded in an international tournament. Gradin was also part of the Uruguayan winning team of the 1917 South American Championship. He was also a four-time South American athletics champion in the 400
400 metres
The 400 metres, or 400 metre dash, is a common sprinting event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 . On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and...
and 200 metres
200 metres
A 200 metres race is a sprint running event. On an outdoor 400 m track, the race begins on the curve and ends on the home straight, so a combination of techniques are needed to successfully run the race. A slightly shorter race, called the stadion and run on a straight track, was the first...
sprint.
Biography
Gradín was born in Montevideo in 1897 and was a great-grandson of African slaves from the kingdom of Lesotho (known today as South Africa). He was brought up in the Palermo barrioBarrio
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning district or neighborhood.-Usage:In its formal usage in English, barrios are generally considered cohesive places, sharing, for example, a church and traditions such as feast days...
in Montevideo.
Club career
Gradín arrived at PeñarolC.A. Peñarol
Club Atlético Peñarol also known as Carboneros, Aurinegros and familiarly as Manya, is an Uruguayan sports club based in the Peñarol barrio, Montevideo, best known for its professional football team. The team plays their home matches in Estadio Centenario, the largest stadium in the country, but...
in 1915 where he immediately made an impression, gaining selection for the national team in his first year. Over the course of his career he played in Uruguayan League championship in 1918 and in 1921. He played 212 games for Aurinegros, scoring 101 goals. After a dispute with the club he walked away from Peñarol in 1921.
In 1922 he was involved in the founding of the new Olimpia FC
Club Atlético River Plate (Uruguay)
Club Atlético River Plate is an Uruguayan football club based in Montevideo. The club currently plays in the Primera División. River is the result of the merger of former clubs Olimpia and Capurro....
(later known as River Plate). Gradín played at Olimpia until his retirement from football in 1929 though his focus in his later career was on athletics rather than football.
International career
At the age of 18 Gradín made his international debut in July 1915 against ArgentinaArgentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
in Montevideo.
1916 South American Championship
The 1916 South American Championship, in which Uruguay took out their first continental championship, is considered to have been Gradín's career high point. As the age of 19 he finished the tournament with three goals and was leading goalscorer for the tournament.Gradín's racial background became an issue with Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
complaining before and after their match with Uruguay that the Uruguayans were unfairly selecting "Africans". They were unhappy with the selection of Gradín and his team mate Juan Delgado. The complaints were particularly bitter after Gradín scored two goals in Uruguay's 4–0 defeat of the Chileans. Gradín scored his third goal of the tournament in Uruguay's defeat of Brazil which won Uruguay the championship.
1917 South American Championship
Although a member of the title-winning Uruguay squad for the 1917 South American Championship he did not make it onto the pitch for any of their matches.1919 South American Championship
At the 1919 South American Championship Gradín was more successful in getting on the pitch, playing all of Uruguay's matches at the tournament and scoring two goals. Unfortunately for him BrazilBrazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
prevailed over Uruguay in the playoff final which is recorded as the longest game in history: Brazil 1 - Uruguay 0 (150 minutes = 90 +15 +15 +15 +15).
Gradín's presence as a black man in the Uruguayan team in Brazil was a matter of much controversy given the Brazilian reluctance to select black players in their national teams. Many black Brazilians vociferously supported Gradín despite the fact that he was from a rival country.
1920s
After the 1919 championships Gradín only played sporadically for the national team. This was partly due to his siding with the rebel Federación Uruguaya de Football against the mainstream Uruguayan Football Association. In 1924 Gradín played for a rebel Uruguayan national team organised by the FUF against an Argentine national team organised by the Asociación Amateurs de Football. This led to him missing out on selection during Uruguay's successful tournament run in which they won several South American Championships and an Olympic gold medal.By the time he played his last international in July 1927, against Argentina in Montevideo, he had played 24 times for the national teams, scoring 10 goals. He refused selection for the Uruguayan team to the 1928 Olympic Games
Football at the 1928 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1928 Summer Olympics tournament, won by Uruguay against Argentina, would be the precursor to the first FIFA World Cup held in 1930 in Uruguay.-Medalists:-Background:...
.
Playing style
Although Gradín was a natural left-footer, he was proficient with both feet. He built a reputation on his explosive pace, accurate crossing and powerful shooting.Gradín's playing style inspired Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
vian poet Juan Parra del Riego to compose a poem Polirritmo al jugador de fútbol in his honour.
Club
Gradín began his club athletics career with Plaza de Deportes Nº 1 before transferring to Club Atlético Olimpio in 1918.International competition
In 1918 he won two medals at the Campeonato de Iniciación, a gold medal in the 400 metres and a bronze medal in the 200 metres.At the 1919 South American Championships in Athletics
1919 South American Championships in Athletics
The 1919 South American Championships in Athletics was the inaugural South American Championships and was contested by Uruguay and Chile were held in Montevideo, Uruguay.- Men's events :- Medal table :- External links :* - GBR Athletics...
he won gold medals for the 200 metre and 400 metre sprints.
He followed up his 1919 success at the 1920 South American Championships in Athletics
1920 South American Championships in Athletics
-Men's events:-Medal table:-External links:* - GBR Athletics* - GBR Athletics...
by successfully defending both his 200 and 400 metres titles.
In 1922 at the unofficial South American Championships known as the Campeonato Latino-Americano, Gradín won a gold medal in the 400 metres sprint.
Later life and death
Gradín spent his final years destitute and in poverty. By 1944 Gradín had become seriously ill and was in hospital. On 17 December 1944, on the day they had won the Uruguayan championship, the whole Peñarol team visited him at the Pasteur Hospital, dedicating their win to him. He died on 21 December 1944, four days later.A biography of his life was released in 2000 by Uruguayan author Carina Blixen entitled Isabelino Gradín : testimonio de una vida.
A square in Montevideo is named in his honour. In 2009 a memorial star was placed in the square by the Montevideo local government.