- Title: SOCCER-URUGUAY/GHIGGIA Wake held for Uruguayan soccer legend Alcides Ghiggia
- Date: 17th July 2015
- Summary: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY (JULY 17, 2015) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** URUGUAYS' CONGRESS BUILDING IN MONTEVIDEO WAKE FOR ALCIDES GHIGGIA IN HALL OF CONGRESS FAMILY MEMBERS BY COFFIN GHIGGIA'S WIFE, BEATRIZ, AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS COFFIN AND URUGUAYAN FLAG POLITICIANS GREETING GHIGGIA'S WIFE, BEATRIZ JOURNALISTS GREETING GHIGGIA'S SON, ARCARDIO GHIGGI
- Embargoed: 1st August 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Uruguay
- Country: Uruguay
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVACPJ8DOIAGIKJBIWGH61PF2S31
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Uruguayans paid their final respects to soccer legend Alcides Ghiggia during a wake held in Congress on Friday (July 17) in the country capital of Montevideo.
Ghiggia, the Uruguayan striker who silenced the Maracana at the 1950 World Cup by scoring the winner against Brazil, died of a heart attack at the age of 88 on Thursday (July 16), the 65th anniversary of Uruguay's famous win.
The stunning 2-1 victory over Brazil gave Uruguay their second World Cup title and it remains one of the most talked about results of all time.
Alcides son, Arcadio Ghiggia, said that his father always credited his teammates for the spectacular win.
"As his son I feel a lot of emotion for what my father represents for everyone. And as a fan as well because as President Vazquez [Uruguay President Tabare Vazquez] said, he is an icon, an icon at the international level of football and this recognition is worthwhile both for him and for those people who were in the Maracana stadium [1950 World Cup final in Brazil]. Because as he always said and I will repeat it, 'if I had not played with the other 10 geniuses we would never have reached 2-1 [in reference to win against Brazil in which he scored winning goal]," he said.
Ghiggia was the last surviving member of that triumphant side.
"I think he chose to go through the big gate [in reference to his death] at that moment [65th anniversary of win]. I think he had to play a game because his teammates were calling and I think that he knew that," said Arcadio.
Many Uruguayans left work or school to pay their respects to the soccer icon.
Local businessman, Rafael, came with his son to honour Ghiggia's memory.
"He left school because I wanted to come with my son to show him a piece of history that we are experiencing and that a prominent soccer figure left us," he said.
"He represents a lot, Ghiggia represents our greatest sporting feat, he represents the spirit of the people. He wasn't just as the sometimes say, he who scored the goal of 1950, but also he was a great player in general," said publications editor, Maximiliano.
Diego Godin, captain of Uruguay's national soccer team, expressed his amazement at the fact that Ghiggia's death coincided with the 65th anniversary of his winning goal, saying that it was the stuff legends were made of.
"They're mixed feelings because he left us, he's gone but this only increases his legend. It's incredible that he left us in that moment, they were telling me that it was at the time that he scored the goal [against Brazil in 1950], it was close to the minute, and well it provokes emotion because it's incredible and something better than the best stories one could tell, it's the best story one could tell. It's incredible and just makes the legend stronger and continues paving the way for all Uruguayans and not just the soccer players," said Godin.
While Uruguay's Tabare Vazquez was in Brazil for a Merosur summit, Vice President Raul Sendic delivered a eulogy for the late soccer hero.
"The goal shows and maybe it's time for us to show for good, that those who are marked as losers can be victorious [in reference to Uruguay winning against Brazil in 1950] and can always be winners. Thanks for your life, for your example, thanks for having given us this permanent memory in history, that you go in peace to play a match with your teammates who are waiting for you, that you live eternally Don Alcides Ghiggia," he said.
Ghiggia began his career at the Sudamerica club before moving to Penarol, one of Uruguay's biggest teams.
Fast and agile, he moved to Italy and played for Roma and Milan before eventually returning to his homeland and ending his career at Danubio.
While some felt he never got the recognition his talent deserved at the time, he later became an icon for Uruguayans, who admired his quiet grace. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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