You could be mistaken for thinking Brazil, Italy, Germany or Argentina are the most successful footballing nations. You could also be misleading if you believe having a large population helps to produce world-class players in abundance and winning an array of trophies.
It has long been said (or rather thought) that countries like Scotland, with a population of just over 5 million are struggling to qualify for a World Cup because of its size. Well, you can only field eleven on a park at any given time. You don’t need 5 million.
Smaller nations have also won trophies. Denmark, with a population almost the size of Scotland, have won a European Championship (1992) and made a huge impression in the 1986 World Cup after thrashing one of the favourites, Uruguay 6-1.
Greece, with a population of double, what Scotland has also won a major tournament (Euros in 2004) so what has population got to do with being a successful football nation? Absolutely nothing, and one country has all the proof it needs.
With two World Cups, 15 Copa America titles, two Olympic golds, and champions of the Copa de Oro de Campeones Mundiales, no other nation has won more trophies.
The small country, with a population of almost 3.5 million (almost half of Scotland), has a unique history with the beautiful game.
According to Wikipedia: ‘The sport was first introduced by British immigrants and expatriates in the 19th century.
Some references say that the game had been introduced in 1880, at the English High School by Henry Castle Ayre, born in Bedminster in March 1852.’
We are, of course, referring to the tiny country of Uruguay – the world’s most successful football nation.
‘The first recorded football match in Uruguay was played in 1881 between Montevideo Rowing Club (established in 1874) and Montevideo Cricket Club (1861), while Albion F.C. – established in Montevideo in 1891 – was the first football club in the country.
CURCC was founded by British immigrants in 1891, being predecessor of current C.A. Peñarol.
British football clubs tours over South America contributed to the spread and development of football in Uruguay during the first years of the 20th century. The first club to tour was Southampton in 1904, followed by several teams (mainly from England although some Scotland clubs also visited South America) until 1929 with Chelsea being the last team to tour.
British teams were considered the best in the world by then, and some of them served as inspiration to establish football clubs in Uruguay and Argentina, helped by the immigration of British citizens that had arrived to worked for British companies (mostly in railway construction).
CURCC and Albion are some examples of clubs established by British immigrants to South America.’
Uruguay has never been short on producing world-class players. Alcides Ghiggia was regarded by many historians as the first great superstar but that’s perhaps because he scored the winning goal in the 1950 World Cup final.
Juan Alberto “Pepe” Schiaffino, who also scored in the same game, is regarded as Uruguay’s finest export. Years later Enzo Franscescoli became the darling of the tiny nation. He was so good Zinedine Zidane often claimed he was his hero growing up. So good Zidane even named his son after him.
Today we have to look at the impressive Cavani and Luis Suarez. The latter being the most prolific having left his homeland to carve out a wonderful career in Europe but still regarded in their homeland by many to come a second and third to their World Cup predecessors.
Uruguay for such a small nation is full of big surprises. Their connection to neighbours Brazil has some really fascinating facts. A Uruguayan citizen is responsible for the famous yellow shirt, blue shorts, and white socks of Brazil. He designed the kit after their disastrous 1950 World Cup defeat at the hands of Uruguay. Brazil’s kit at the time was all-white.
Brazil is famous for its futsal, indoor football enjoyed by most of the past and present stars from Pele to Neymar but the indoor game actually originated in…you got it…Uruguay.
So, the next time you hear a radio pundit or a coach moaning about the small size of your country, just point them in the direction south toward the equator….and to the world’s most successful football nation.
