1. Overview
José Pedro Cea Urriza (1 September 1900 - 18 September 1970) was a Spanish-born Uruguayan football player and coach. Known as a prolific striker, Cea achieved remarkable success in international football, securing two Olympic gold medals in 1924 and 1928, and playing a pivotal role in Uruguay's victory at the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup. His career also saw him win multiple South American Championship titles as both a player and a manager, solidifying his legacy as one of Uruguay's most celebrated footballing figures. His contributions were instrumental in establishing Uruguay's early dominance in international football, reflecting a strong sense of national pride and sporting excellence.
2. Early Life and Background
José Pedro Cea Urriza was born on 1 September 1900, in Redondela, Spain. He later moved to Uruguay, where he would begin his illustrious football career. His full name is José Pedro Cea Urriza. He stood at a height of 5.6 ft (1.72 m).
3. Playing Career
José Pedro Cea had a distinguished playing career, making significant contributions at both club and international levels, marked by numerous championships and individual accolades.
3.1. Club Career
Cea began his club career in 1922, playing for Central Atletico Lito until 1927. During his time there, he appeared in 231 matches and scored 111 goals. In 1928, he moved to Bella Vista, where he played 26 matches and scored 17 goals. From 1929 to 1934, Cea played for Nacional, a prominent Uruguayan club. With Nacional, he made 325 appearances, scoring 138 goals. His tenure at Nacional was highly successful, as he won the Primera División in 1933 and 1934. He also secured the Torneo Competencia title in 1934. Throughout his club career, Cea amassed a total of 582 appearances and scored 266 goals before retiring.
3.2. International Career
Cea's international career with the Uruguay national team, known as la Celeste, spanned from 1923 to 1932. He earned 26 caps and scored 13 goals for his country, playing a crucial role in Uruguay's golden era of football.
3.2.1. Early International Successes (1923-1924)
José Pedro Cea made his debut for Uruguay in November 1923. His initial years with the national team were marked by immediate success. He was a key member of the team that won the 1923 South American Championship, where he scored his first international goal against Brazil. The following year, in 1924, Cea again played an integral part as Uruguay secured their fifth continental title at the 1924 South American Championship.
3.2.2. Olympic Gold Medals (1924, 1928)
Cea's international achievements extended to the Olympic Games. He won consecutive gold medals at both the 1924 Paris Olympics and the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. In the 1924 Summer Olympics, he scored three goals, including two against Yugoslavia in a dominant 7-0 victory and one against the Netherlands in the semi-final, contributing to Uruguay's eventual 3-0 win over Switzerland in the final. In the 1928 Summer Olympics, he scored a crucial equalizer against Italy in the semi-final, which Uruguay won 3-2. His five goals across both Olympic tournaments were vital to Uruguay's success.
3.2.3. 1930 FIFA World Cup
Cea played a pivotal role in Uruguay's triumph at the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, hosted in their home country. He was Uruguay's leading goalscorer in the tournament, netting five goals. His most significant contribution came in the World Cup final against arch-rivals Argentina. With Uruguay trailing 2-1, Cea scored the crucial equalizing goal in the 57th minute, leveling the score at 2-2. Uruguay went on to win the match 4-2, securing the first-ever World Cup title. For his outstanding performance, Cea was awarded the first-ever FIFA World Cup Silver Boot and was also selected for the 1930 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. He scored a hat-trick against Yugoslavia in the semi-final, contributing to a 6-1 victory.
4. Managerial Career
After retiring as a player, José Pedro Cea transitioned into coaching. He served as the manager of the Uruguay national team from 1941 to 1942. During his tenure as coach, he led Uruguay to another significant international title, winning the 1942 South American Championship. This achievement further cemented his legacy in Uruguayan football, demonstrating his leadership and tactical prowess beyond his playing days.
5. Career Statistics
José Pedro Cea's career statistics reflect his consistent performance and goal-scoring ability at the highest levels of international football.
5.1. International Appearances and Goals
The following table summarizes José Pedro Cea's appearances and goals for the Uruguay national team by year:
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uruguay | 1923 | 3 | 1 |
| 1924 | 10 | 6 | |
| 1925 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1926 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1927 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1928 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1929 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1930 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1931 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1932 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 26 | 13 | |
5.2. International Goals by Match
This table details each of the 13 goals scored by José Pedro Cea in international matches for Uruguay:
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 25 November 1923 | Estadio Gran Parque Central, Montevideo, Uruguay | Brazil | 2-1 | 2-1 | 1923 South American Championship |
| 2. | 26 May 1924 | Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes, France | Kingdom of Yugoslavia | 4-0 | 7-0 | 1924 Summer Olympics |
| 3. | 7-0 | |||||
| 4. | 6 June 1924 | Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes, France | Netherlands | 1-1 | 2-1 | |
| 5. | 9 June 1924 | Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes, France | Switzerland | 2-0 | 3-0 | 1924 Summer Olympics Gold Medal match |
| 6. | 2 October 1924 | Estadio Barracas, Buenos Aires, Argentina | Argentina | 1-1 | 1-2 | Friendly |
| 7. | 26 October 1924 | Estadio Gran Parque Central, Montevideo, Uruguay | Paraguay | 3-0 | 3-1 | 1924 South American Championship |
| 8. | 7 June 1928 | Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam, Netherlands | Italy | 1-1 | 3-2 | 1928 Summer Olympics |
| 9. | 21 July 1930 | Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay | Romania | 4-0 | 4-0 | 1930 FIFA World Cup |
| 10. | 27 July 1930 | Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay | Kingdom of Yugoslavia | 1-1 | 6-1 | |
| 11. | 5-1 | |||||
| 12. | 6-1 | |||||
| 13. | 30 July 1930 | Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay | Argentina | 2-2 | 4-2 | 1930 FIFA World Cup Final |
6. Honours
José Pedro Cea accumulated numerous honours throughout his career as both a player and a manager, reflecting his significant impact on Uruguayan football.
6.1. Player Honours
As a player, Cea achieved considerable success with both his club and the national team.
6.1.1. Club Honours
With Nacional, José Pedro Cea won the following titles:
- Primera División: 1933, 1934
- Torneo Competencia: 1934
6.1.2. National Team Honours
Representing Uruguay, José Pedro Cea secured several prestigious international titles:
- FIFA World Cup: 1930
- South American Championship: 1923, 1924
- Summer Olympics Gold Medal: 1924, 1928
- Lipton Cup: 1924, 1927, 1929
- Newton Cup: 1929, 1930
6.2. Individual Honours
José Pedro Cea received individual recognition for his outstanding performances:
- 1930 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
- FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 1930
6.3. Manager Honours
As a manager, José Pedro Cea led the Uruguay national team to a significant victory:
- South American Championship: 1942
7. Death
José Pedro Cea passed away on 18 September 1970, in Montevideo, Uruguay, at the age of 70 years and 17 days.
8. Legacy and Assessment
José Pedro Cea is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the early history of Uruguayan football. His remarkable achievements, particularly his role in securing two Olympic gold medals and the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup title, established Uruguay as a dominant force in international football during the 1920s and 1930s. His crucial equalizing goal in the 1930 World Cup final is a testament to his composure and importance in high-pressure situations, solidifying his status as a national hero. Beyond his playing career, his success as a national team manager further underscored his deep understanding of the game and his ability to lead. Cea's legacy is intertwined with the golden age of Uruguayan football, and he remains a symbol of sporting excellence and national pride in the country's rich footballing heritage.