Montevideo's football museum recounts an incredible story

By Anja Sokolow and Christian Luedorf Jul 26, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Montevideo - Many countries are rightfully proud of the achievements of their footballers at major tournaments but two-time World Cup winner Uruguay has more reason than most to boast about the achievements of its national team.

The tiny South American country of just 3.4 million people not only hosted but won the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and although the last world crown dates back to 1950, Uruguay has also had recent success, making it to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The 1930 victory over Argentina took place in front of 80,000 fans in the Estadio Centenario in the capital Montevideo and it is here where the Museo del Futbol is appropriately situated.

The two-storey museum extends to 3,000 square metres and is home to several hundred exhibits, illustrating the greatest moments in Uruguayan football. The tour begins on the upper floor where the gold medals from the 1924 Paris and 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games are on display.

'At the time, these teams made up of amateur footballers bewitched the European public with their technical ability and slick-passing game,' says museum guide Gerardo.

The team paid for their third class tickets across the Atlantic through loans and gate receipts from friendly matches.

The unwashed light blue jersey of Uruguay's record goal scorer and national hero Hector Scarone (1898-1967), who was given the nickname 'the magician', hangs in a glass display case replete with soil stains.

Further along, the shock World Cup triumph of 1950 when Uruguay defeated host nation Brazil in the final in Rio de Janeiro's legendary Maracana stadium, is fondly remembered.

A larger than life photo shows a completely perplexed FIFA president Jules Rimet handing over the winner's trophy. A replica of the trophy is also on display, as is the original match ball.

The national team's more recent history is remembered on the museum's ground floor. Zakumi, the mascot of the 2010 World Cup, stands beside the number 10 jersey of the tournament's golden boot winner Diego Forlan, who is now second only to Scarone in Uruguay's all-time goalscorers' list.

The 15-minute original silent film footage showing the early successes of the national team is another highlight.

The museum entrance ticket is a copy of a match ticket for the 1930 final and also allows visitors to see the stadium itself. The museum shop offers cups, keyrings and various jerseys. Ironically, the current Uruguay jersey is probably harder to get your hands on due to the team's success in South Africa.