Roque Máspoli was a prominent Uruguayan footballer and coach, known for his role as a goalkeeper during the 1950 World Cup.
He was the goalkeeper for the Uruguay national team that won the 1950 World Cup and later coached the team to victory in the 1980 Mundialito.
Máspoli began his professional career with Liverpool de Montevideo before joining C.A. Peñarol, where he won six Primera División titles.
Biography
Early Life
Roque Gastón Máspoli Arbelvide was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1917, into a Ticinese family originally from Caslano. He began his football journey in the youth ranks of Club Nacional de Football, where he honed his skills as a goalkeeper.
Playing Career
Máspoli made his professional debut in the Uruguayan Primera División with Liverpool de Montevideo in 1939. After just one season, he transferred to C.A. Peñarol, where he would spend the majority of his playing career, winning six Primera División titles. He was a key player for the Uruguay national team, notably participating in the 1950 FIFA World Cup, where he played a crucial role in the final match, famously known as the "Maracanazo," helping Uruguay secure a stunning 2–1 victory over Brazil.
Coaching Career
Following his playing days, Máspoli transitioned into coaching, leading Peñarol to five national championships, the Copa Libertadores, and the 1966 Intercontinental Cup, where they triumphed over Real Madrid. He also managed teams in Spain, Peru, and Ecuador, and returned to coach the Uruguay national team in the 1980s, even becoming the oldest manager of any national football team at the age of 80 in 1997.
Legacy
Roque Máspoli passed away on February 22, 2004, at the age of 86, after being hospitalized for heart issues. His contributions to Uruguayan football, both as a player and a coach, have left a lasting legacy, with his remains resting at Cementerio del Buceo in Montevideo. He is remembered not only for his achievements on the field but also for his significant impact on the sport in Uruguay.
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Career & Clubs
Born in Montevideo, into a Ticinese family originally from Caslano, Maspoli began playing in the youth ranks of Club Nacional de Football. He would make his Uruguayan Primera División debut with Liverpool de Montevideo in 1939. After one season with Liverpool, he joined C.A. Peñarol. He would spend the rest of his playing career with Peñarol, winning six Primera titles with the club. In the final match of the 1950 World Cup, known as the "Maracanazo" due to Uruguay's surprising win at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro, in front of near 200,000 Brazilian fans, Máspoli allowed one goal as the visitors beat favorites Brazil 2–1. Máspoli also coached Uruguayan club Peñarol, with which he won five national championships, the Copa Libertadores and the 1966 Intercontinental Cup, when the team beat Real Madrid 4–0 on aggregate. Later, he managed teams in Spain, Peru and Ecuador. In the 1980s, Máspoli spent several years coaching the Uruguay national team. He took charge again in 1997, becoming the oldest ever manager of any national football team at the age of 80. Roque Máspoli was hospitalized on 10 February 2004 with heart trouble. He died twelve days later at the age of 86. His remains are buried at Cementerio del Buceo, Montevideo.
- Club
- Liverpool F.C. (Montevideo) (1939–1940)
- Club
- Club Atlético Peñarol (1940–1955)
- Club
- Club Nacional de Football (1933–1939)
- Club
- Uruguay men's national football team (1945–1955)
- Club
- C.A. Bella Vista (1936–1936)
- Club
- Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club (1937–1937)
- Club
- C.A. Cerro (1938–1938)
- National team
- Uruguay
Legacy
As a player
Club
Nacional
Primera División: 1933, 1934, 1939 Torneo de Honor: 1935, 1938, 1939 Torneo Competencia: 1934 Peñarol
Primera División: 1944, 1945, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1954
International
Uruguay
FIFA World Cup: 1950
Individual
FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1950 IFFHS Uruguayan Men's Dream Team (Team B)
As a manager
Club
Peñarol
Primera División: 1964, 1965, 1967, 1985, 1986 Intercontinental Cup: 1966 Copa Libertadores: 1966 Defensor Lima
Peruvian Primera División: 1973 Barcelona SC
Serie A: 1987
International
Uruguay
1980 Mundialito Gold medal: 1981
Clubs
Played together with
Abdón PorteClub Nacional de Football · 1911–1918- Abednigo NgcoboClub Atlético Peñarol · 1980–1981
Abel HernándezClub Atlético Peñarol · 2008–2009- Abel HernándezClub Atlético Peñarol · 2023–2023
- Abel HernándezClub Atlético Peñarol · 2026
- Abel HernándezLiverpool F.C. (Montevideo) · 2024–2025
- Adalto Batista da SilvaClub Nacional de Football · 1999–2001
Adhemar CanavesiC.A. Bella Vista · 1925–1928- Adhemar CanavesiClub Atlético Peñarol · 1928–1935
- Adolfo BaránC.A. Bella Vista · 1983–1987
- Adolfo BaránClub Atlético Peñarol · 1988–1989
- Adolfo BaránClub Atlético Peñarol · 1990–1990
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Roque Gastón Máspoli Arbelvide was a Uruguayan football player and coach. He was the goalkeeper for the Uruguay national team that won the 1950 World Cup. He was also the head coach for the Uruguayan team that won the 1980 Mundialito.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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