Key Takeaways
Héctor Scarone, known as "El Mago," was an extraordinary Uruguayan footballer.
He played primarily for Nacional, scoring 301 goals in 369 appearances.
Scarone was instrumental in Uruguay's international successes, including the 1930 FIFA World Cup.
He transitioned to a managerial career post-retirement, managing clubs like Millonarios and Real Madrid.
Héctor Scarone was known by many popular names such as El Mago ("the Magician") And "the Gardel of Football", such were his exquisite skills on the ball. The former Uruguayan inside forward was one of the finest players in world football during his prime.
We will be looking back at his illustrious football journey in this article, as we cover his club career, international legacy, and post-football career as a manager.
Club career
At club level, Scarone spent most of his career at Uruguayan side Nacional, with whom he won an astonishing 21 titles. In his 369 appearances for the club, El Mago scored a commendable 301 goals. He spent a combined total of 20 years at Nacional throughout his career. Scarone also holds the record of 3rd all-time Uruguayan Primera División with 163 goals, and the 2nd all-time top scorer of Nacional (behind Atilio García) with 301 goals.
An interesting fact is that he was initially rejected by the club. The Uruguayan's height of 170 cm and thin legs were the primary reason for this. However, an undeterred Scarone returned a year later. This time he was accepted to the club and sent to the reserve team. He eventually made it to the first team after just 5 games with the reserve team, such was the talent of this special player.
Apart from playing for National at different phases of his career, Scarone had also played for the likes of Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Palermo.
International career
Scarone was a part of Uruguay's golden era that dominated international football. He won the South American Championship ( now Copa América) with Uruguay on four occasions (1917, 1923, 1924, and 1926). Silverware success didn't end there, as the mighty Uruguayans won the Olympic gold medal twice in 1924 and 1928.
His most important international goal came at the age of 19, as it was his strike at the 62nd minute that helped Uruguay lift the title at the 1917 South American Championship. It was only his fourth international match, as he destroyed Argentine hearts in the final.
The ultimate success for Scarone and his men came in 1930, as the country won the inaugural FIFA World Cup. Scarone's 31 goals in 52 matches (actually 52 including goals in unofficial matches) stood as the national record till 2011.
His goal against Romania on 21st July 1930 was a legendary one, as it made him the last player born in the 19th century to score in a World cup final tournament.
Uruguay and Scarone had their Olympic triumphs later recognized as World Cups as well, and thus they officially became 3-time World Champions.
It was simply a period of total domination by Scarone and his men at the international stage, as they overcame and destroyed all opponents that got in their way.
Managerial career
After spending 22 years as a footballer from 1917 till 1939, Scarone decided to become a football coach. His first managerial job was at Columbian club Millonarios, and he was in fact their second ever manager since the club's origin, from 1947 to 1948, while the club was still an amateur team.
He then managed Real Madrid for a year from 1951 till 1952, and finished his managerial stint with his very own Nacional in 1954.
Scarone bid farewell to the world in 1967 in Montevideo, aged 68, after attending a match of Nacional. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest and significant players in the history of both Uruguayan and international football.
