1950 World Cup hero Alcides Ghiggia: The Maracana Ghost's fall from grace

Alcides Ghiggia sits alone on a stage. He has bandy legs, his hair is combed back, his eyes are tired, he has a large nose and big ears. His face is wrinkled. He is now 87 years old. He is telling the same story he has told since July 16, 1950, when his goal for Uruguay beat Brazil at the Maracana and caused a shock in the World Cup final that is still a cause for trauma in Brazil today.

His tour is financed by a whiskey company, Dunbar. After his talk, a teenage boy comes up to him. “Excuse me, which foot was it?” he asks.

“With this one,” he says, surprised. “My right one.”

“Can I kiss it?”

“Er, OK.”

The boy kneels down and kisses his foot. “Luckily, I washed it today,” said Ghiggia, and those listening in laugh.

Ghiggia believes it was destiny. His destiny. After all, he only gave up basketball because he played for Nacional and his family were huge supporters of Penarol; he only returned to Uruguay in 1947 because Buenos Aires club Atlanta turned him down, and at the time only Uruguay-based players could play for their country.

“If you play for Nacional you won’t be welcome in this house again,” said his mother, so he tried out at Penarol, whose coach Emerico Hirschl happened to watch the trial and throw him into the side one week later. He only made his debut for the national team two months before the World Cup began (in a 4-3 win over Brazil in Sao Paulo) and in all, only played 12 games for Uruguay.

He scored four goals, all of them in the 1950 World Cup. His legend was sealed in 13 minutes in the final: first he crossed for Juan Schiaffino to equalize after 66 minutes. The next time he had the ball out wide, 13 minutes later, Brazil goalkeeper Barbosa anticipated a cross to center forward Omar Miguez and Ghiggia drove it home at the near post. As his teammates jumped on him to celebrate, Miguez stood apart and, according to Atilio Garrido in his book "Maracanã: The Secret History," said: “Didn't you hear me? I was asking you to pass it to me. Why did you not pass it?”

“Omar, leave the ball there, it’s fine where it is,” Ghiggia replied.

Two years later, Ghiggia was vilified in Uruguay for striking a referee, Juan Carlos Armental, during the derby between Penarol and Nacional. He was suspended by the Uruguayan FA for 15 months, and so he moved to Roma. He was a celebrity in Europe, a paparazzi favorite in his fur coats, Alfa Romeo car and hanging out with the likes of Gina Lollobrigida.

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He would still call home every week to find out the Penarol results. He spent nine years in Italy, enough to qualify him to play for Italy’s national team in its failed effort to qualify for the 1958 World Cup. In 1963, he returned to Uruguay and he played for Danubio until he was 42. When he quit football, the Uruguayan government gave him a job – as they had done with everyone from the 1950 team. Until 1992, Ghiggia stood sentry at Montevideo Casino checking for gamblers who were cheating.

Ghiggia left Montevideo in 1992, when he was 66. He moved to Las Piedras, 20 kilometers away and rented a modest house downtown. He would go to the main square every afternoon and watch the birds. One day a driving instructor, Homero Caro, offered him a job. He took it and his first student was a 23-year-old Nacional supporter called Beatriz. She is now his wife, and works in a clothes market on the railway line that connects Montevideo to the Brazilian border.

These days, Ghiggia is bitter. He believes that people are not grateful enough to him, and that the state should do more than give him his pension worth 15,000 pesos per month. In 2008, he met a Uruguayan politician Reinaldo Gargano, who told him: “Ah Ghiggia, the people owe you so much!”

“No,” he replied. “It is you, the politicians, who owe me a lot.”

Ghiggia lives with Beatriz in a rented house in downtown Las Piedras. They would like to move to a house of their own on Highway 67, but it is currently half-built, and they don’t have the funds to finish it off. That’s why Ghiggia asks for money for interviews. He reportedly made $25,000 for selling a Golden Boot prize that he was awarded in Monaco and is said to have sold his World Cup winner’s medal too, but he denies both tales.

The story in Uruguay goes that a business partner of TV mogul Paco Casal bought the medal and gave it back to him. Casal also gives him $400 per month. Casal bought Ghiggia a Renault Clio, but on June 13, 2012, Ghiggia was thrown through its windshield after a horrific accident with an oncoming truck on Route 5.

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He suffered injuries to his head, throat, knee, and fractured his arm, ankle and hip. He was on life support for 37 days and has still not fully recovered. “Come in, come in, Alcides is awake,” said Beatriz when we enter the house. The living room is small, there are pictures and clippings on the wall, but no sign of the jersey from 1950.

Ghiggia left it in a box in his father’s care when he went to Rome; when he returned, it had disintegrated. In the bedroom, a TV is on the wall, the bedside table has a picture of Ghiggia in a Uruguay jersey, and on the other side, a shoebox filled with medication. A Zimmer frame is nearby.

“These youngsters have come to see you,” Beatriz tells him.

“Sit down, kids,” he says, keeping his eye on the television.

“Journalists come from all over the world to see you, don't they, Alcides,” she says. He nods. Beatriz’s mother then phones and Ghiggia explains that, at first, she did not like him. “For the age difference,” says Beatriz. Ghiggia cuts in. “But now she likes me.”

Who doesn't like him? “People in Montevideo have forgotten about Alcides,” says Beatriz.

But the pair have stories, how the vendor at the Paysandu toll-bridge paid for Ghiggia, or how someone bought him lunch because they recognized him. Beatriz says that a statue of Ghiggia is being built, but he growls: “Yes, but it doesn´t look like me at all!”

Ghiggia traveled the whole country with Dunbar, telling his story. And while he has photos and clippings of his moment in the house, Beatriz does not let him listen to the commentary of the goal.

“I have the audio, but it’s been years since I heard it,” he says.

“That’s because he’s old and emotional and I’m worried that something will happen if he hears it,” she says.

“I have all the audio recordings with the voices of the greatest Uruguayan commentators, people like De Feo, Pelliciari and Soler,” says Ghiggia with tears in his eyes.

Beatriz changes the subject immediately. I ask if he feels he should have more recognition. Beatriz answers. “Alcides always says he was born at the wrong time. Today, he would be better than Messi. Right, Alcides?”

Ghiggia agrees, and he pulls the blanket covering his bed up to his neck.

(Editor's Note: This story appeared in Spanish in Argentine magazine Don Julio. Reporting by Federico Bassahun.)

GALLERY: 25 Players to Watch at the World Cup

25 Players to Watch at the World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

The reigning Ballon d’Or winner just helped Real Madrid win its 10th UEFA Champions League title as well. His supporting cast isn’t as impressive as Lionel Messi’s with Argentina or Neymar’s with Brazil, so this tournament should be a chance for Ronaldo to see just how far he can carry a team.

Lionel Messi, Argentina

Despite his obvious talent and immense contributions in conquering Europe with FC Barcelona, Messi’s biggest criticism has always been a perceived lack of similar productivity with the national team. A World Cup on his home continent, with the best Argentina team of the last few cycles around him, should be an opportunity to break that streak.

Ángel di María, Argentina

The star of Real Madrid’s Champions League final triumph, di María is a tireless midfielder who combines an explosive change of pace with excellent dribbling ability to unlock defenses. His work rate allows him to continue at the same pace all game, long after opponents have dropped off.

Luis Suárez, Uruguay

Probably the most controversial and divisive player on the planet, there is no doubting Suárez’s ability despite the headlines he accrued in the past seasons. He was voted the best player in the English Premier League by his peers this season, showing the respect he receives among those who know him best.

Arjen Robben, Netherlands

Despite the criticism of being one-footed and a diver, Robben consistently produces for club and country. He’s not strictly a goal scorer, but he seems to pop up in the right place when his team needs one, including in the 2013 Champions League final for Bayern Munich when he scored the late winner — with his left foot, of course.

Neymar, Brazil

After dominating the Brazilian league, Neymar moved to play alongside Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona this season. Injuries and a slow learning curve stunted his productivity, but his new fans did get to see his ability in flashes. The Brazilian national team might be more in his comfort zone, marking a return to the nation he carried to the 2013 Confederations Cup win.

Wayne Rooney, England

Rooney’s productivity didn’t drop with Manchester United’s league and continental fortunes. He scored 19 goals in all competitions, eclipsing his previous season, and he coupled that with seven goals for England in its World Cup qualifying campaign.

Mario Balotelli, Italy

Balotelli has taken heavy criticism for his periodically immature outbursts and a supposed lack of discipline, but a return to Serie A with AC Milan also brought with it an outburst of goals. He scored 18 in all competitions in 2013-14, as well as two in Italy’s Confederations Cup effort last summer.

Andrea Pirlo, Italy

Pirlo may appear ageless, but his game has never been predicated on physicality. While his body gets older, his mind only gets sharper, allowing him to maintain his form as one of the world’s best playmakers. Pirlo can also smack in free kicks with the best of them, making him a threat in multiple phases of play.

Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast

This World Cup will be Drogba’s last stand on the international level. Compared to his club numbers, the 36-year-old’s national team goal-scoring record has been mediocre, his own form personifying a larger listlessness among his nation at the highest levels. He has one last chance to turn the narrative around.

Karim Benzema, France

The 26-year-old Real Madrid forward helped the Spanish side to a Champions League title, scoring 24 goals in all competitions, including five on Europe’s biggest stage. With compatriot Franck Ribery ruled out for the World Cup with a back injury, the onus falls even more on Benzema to lead Les Bleus’ attack.

Keisuke Honda, Japan

Honda finally moved to a big club in January, joining AC Milan from CSKA Moscow. He has been an important player for his national team since bouncing between the Dutch first and second tiers with VVV-Venlo, working his way up gradually and patiently. Honda will be Japan’s primary playmaker in Brazil.

Paul Pogba, France

In many ways, Pogba is similar to Mario Balotelli. He had a dramatic falling out with his manager in England, leaving Manchester United for Juventus in Italy. Since then, he has become a spectacular-goal machine, regularly cutting inside from the right wing to unleash thunderous strikes past hapless goalkeepers.

Eden Hazard, Belgium

After already winning the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award twice, Hazard reminded everybody that he’s still far from his prime, winning the Young Player of the Year award in England this season. Hazard has become the subject of transfer rumors since Chelsea’s season ended, sparked by comments in the press by him and manager José Mourinho that suggest he might be losing favor.

Yaya Touré, Ivory Coast

With a weak defense behind him, Touré will be key in any success the Ivory Coast has at the World Cup. He surged forward to score 24 goals for Manchester City last season, but his physical presence and defensive ability will likely be easier to notice against the dangerous attacks of Colombia and Japan.

Michael Bradley, United States

Bradley is the United States’ version of Xavi, although extremely watered down. Rarely does a U.S. game go by where his pass-completion percentage is below 90, and his late runs from midfield add another wrinkle to the American counterattack. Above all, Bradley’s leadership ability will be vital considering the difficult road the U.S. faces to progressing beyond the group stage.

Manuel Neuer, Germany

After biding his time as a back-up for Germany and at Schalke in the lower tiers of the Bundesliga, Neuer has emerged as the best goalkeeper in the world since Euro 2012 and his move to Bayern Munich the previous summer. He is the complete package: a shot stopper, good on crosses and excellent with the ball at his feet.

Arturo Vidal, Chile

Vidal was Juventus’ leading scorer in continental competition last year, saving his best play for when the lights shined brightest. He works alongside Andrea Pirlo in that midfield, providing the engine as a box-to-box midfielder to complement the older Pirlo’s ability to pick passes. For Chile, Vidal will have to play a larger role.

Alexis Sánchez, Chile

As a frequent option off the bench for FC Barcelona, Sánchez injects pace and one-on-one ability into any game. The way he runs at defenders unsettles back lines, often creating opportunities for teammates by dribbling to the end line and cutting the ball back into onrushing attackers.

Xavi, Spain

Barcelona and Spain’s midfield maestro, few players in the world can pass the ball like Xavi. His high completion percentage shows the beauty of the simple game and how effective it can be if coupled with next-level soccer IQ. Spanish manager Vicente del Bosque will have to find the right partners for Xavi, as Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are on the club side.

Andrés Iniesta, Spain

With Cesc Fàbregas playing a larger role in central midfield for Barcelona under Tata Martino, Iniesta had to find a way to impact the game from a different spot. As a result, he became a left-winger in Barça’s 4-3-3 that thrives on overloading the middle and providing killer through passes to the forward line.

Luka Modrić, Croatia

Croatia has the ability to pull off surprise results in Brazil, not least of which would be against the host nation in the opening game. Modrić is well equipped to lead his team and control any game’s tempo from central midfield, along with partner Ivan Rakitić. Modrić is a complete player, proficient with the ball at his feet in both passing and dribbling, as well as maintaining a strong presence in front of the defense.

Robin van Persie, Netherlands

Under Dutch manager Louis van Gaal, van Persie has found the best international form of his life. He scored 11 goals for the Netherlands in qualifying for Brazil 2014, only failing to score in three competitive appearances since Euro 2012. Van Gaal will join van Persie at Manchester United after the World Cup, giving him more of a reason to want to impress his boss.

Edin Džeko, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Džeko finished the season for English champion Manchester City in great form, scoring five goals in his last four appearances. Most of the times Džeko scores, he seems to add another one later in the game, showing his never-satisfied mentality. The big target striker was his country’s leading scorer in qualifying as well, scoring 10 goals in 10 games.

Mesut Özil, Germany

After moving to Arsenal last summer, Özil’s playmaking ability shined with his new club. He can both pass the ball and finish with late midfield runs, playing deeper in the central-midfield block for both his club and Germany. It feels like Özil has been around forever, largely due to making his first-team debut with Schalke at age 17, eight years ago.