Isabelino Gradín

Gradín arrived at Peñarol in 1915 where he immediately made an impression, gaining selection for the national team in his first year. Over the course of his career he played in Uruguayan League championship in 1918 and in 1921. He played 212 games for Aurinegros, scoring 101 goals. After a dispute with the club he walked away from Peñarol in 1921. In 1922 he was involved in the founding of the new Olimpia FC (later known as River Plate). Gradín played at Olimpia until his retirement from football in 1929 though his focus in his later career was on athletics rather than football.

At the age of 18 Gradín made his international debut in July 1915 against Argentina in Montevideo.

1916 South American Championship

The 1916 South American Championship, in which Uruguay took out their first continental championship, is considered to have been Gradín's career high point. As the age of 19 he finished the tournament with three goals and was leading goalscorer for the tournament. Gradín's racial background became an issue with Chile complaining before and after their match with Uruguay that the Uruguayans were unfairly selecting "Africans". They were unhappy with the selection of Gradín and his teammate Juan Delgado. The complaints were particularly bitter after Gradín scored two goals in Uruguay's 4–0 defeat of the Chileans. Gradín scored his third goal of the tournament in Uruguay's defeat of Brazil which won Uruguay the championship.

1917 South American Championship

Although a member of the title-winning Uruguay squad for the 1917 South American Championship he did not make it onto the pitch for any of their matches.

1919 South American Championship

The 1919 South American Championship had Gradín playing all of Uruguay's tournament matches and scored two goals. Brazil prevailed over Uruguay in the playoff final. It is recorded as the longest game in history: Brazil 1 – Uruguay 0 (150 minutes = 90 +15 +15 +15 +15). Gradín playing on a foreign national team in Brazil did not quell the support he received from black Brazilians.…

Although Gradín was a natural left-footer, he was proficient with both feet. He built a reputation on his explosive pace, accurate crossing and powerful shooting. Gradín's playing style inspired Peruvian poet Juan Parra del Riego to compose a poem Polirritmo al jugador de fútbol in his honour.

Gradín was born in Montevideo in 1897 and was a great-grandson of African slaves from the kingdom of Lesotho. He was brought up in the Palermo barrio in Montevideo.