Ghiggia Biography: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!

Alcides Ghiggia Pereyra (December 19, 1926 – July 16, 2015) was an Uruguayan-Italian footballer who played as a right winger. He achieved lasting fame for his decisive role in the final match of the 1950 World Cup.

He scored the winning goal in the 79th minute of the decisive final match against Brazil, giving Uruguay a 2–1 victory. His goal against Brazil became known as the “Maracanazo”. Ghiggia also helped the Uruguay national team win the Copa América championships in 1942 and 1956.

At the club level, he played for Peñarol in Uruguay, Roma in Italy and Millonarios in Colombia. Ghiggia was regarded as one of the greatest Uruguayan footballers of all time.

Quick Facts about Alcides Ghiggia

Here are some quick facts about Alcides Ghiggia:

• Full Name: Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia Pereyra
• Date of Birth: December 19, 1926
• Place of Birth: Montevideo, Uruguay
• Date of Death: July 16, 2015 (aged 88)
• Height: 1.73 m
• Playing Position: Right Winger
• National Team: Uruguay (1945–1958)
• Clubs: Peñarol (1943–1949), Roma (1953–1957), Millonarios (1959–1962)

Table of Quick Facts

Fact	Details
Full Name	Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia Pereyra
Date of Birth	December 19, 1926
Place of Birth	Montevideo, Uruguay
Date of Death	July 16, 2015 (aged 88)
Height	1.73 m
Playing Position	Right Winger
National Team	Uruguay (1945–1958)
Clubs	Peñarol (1943–1949), Roma (1953–1957), Millonarios (1959–1962)

Net Worth and Salary

• As a legendary footballer of his era, Alcides Ghiggia earned a good salary during his active playing career.
• However, his exact net worth and salary details are not known publicly. He played in the early decades of the 1900s when player salaries were modest compared to modern times.
• As per some estimates, his net worth at the time of his death in 2015 was around $5 million. During his peak years, his salary was reportedly around $100,000 per year.
• In addition to his football career earnings, Ghiggia also made money through endorsement deals and appearances later in life.
• Overall, while not extraordinarily wealthy, Ghiggia earned a respectable income from football and had a decent net worth from his sporting career.

Early Life and Youth Career

Alcides Ghiggia was born on December 19, 1926 in Montevideo, Uruguay. His parents Victor Ghiggia and Juana Pereyra were Italian immigrants who had moved to Uruguay.

Ghiggia took an interest in football at an early age and joined the local youth team Club Atletico Welcome as a teenager. He started playing football competitively for the club in the youth divisions of the Uruguayan leagues.

In 1943, at the age of 16, Ghiggia was noticed by scouts from the top Uruguayan club Peñarol. He was signed by Peñarol and continued his development in their youth academy.

Alcides Ghiggia – Early Life

• Born on December 19, 1926 in Montevideo, Uruguay
• Parents were Italian immigrants Victor Ghiggia and Juana Pereyra
• Started playing youth football for Club Atletico Welcome as a teenager
• Signed by Peñarol in 1943 at the age of 16
• Developed his skills in the Peñarol youth academy

Club Career at Peñarol, Roma and Millonarios

Peñarol (1943-1949)

• Ghiggia made his first team debut for Peñarol in 1943 at the age of 16.
• He soon established himself as a key player for the club.
• Between 1943-1949, he helped Peñarol win multiple Uruguayan league titles.
• Ghiggia excelled as a right winger known for his speed, dribbling skills and goalscoring ability.

AS Roma (1953–1957)

• In 1953, Ghiggia transferred to Italian club AS Roma for a reported fee of $75,000.
• He became the first Uruguayan to play in the Italian Serie A league.
• Ghiggia scored 16 goals in 28 matches during his first season at Roma.
• He helped Roma reach 2nd place in Serie A in the 1953–54 season.
• Ghiggia spent 4 seasons at Roma, scoring 33 goals in 119 appearances.

Millonarios (1959–1962)

• In 1959, Ghiggia signed for the Colombian club Millonarios.
• He linked up with other football legends like Alfredo Di Stéfano at Millonarios.
• Ghiggia retired from professional football in 1962 at the age of 35 after 3 seasons with Millonarios.

International Career with Uruguay National Team

Debut and Early Years (1945-1949)

• Ghiggia made his debut for the Uruguay national team in 1945 at the age of 19.
• He was part of Uruguay’s South American Championship winning squads in 1942 and 1947.
• Ghiggia scored 8 goals in 33 matches during his early international career.

1950 World Cup Glory

• Ghiggia cemented his place in football history during the 1950 World Cup hosted by Brazil.
• He scored the winning goal in the final match against Brazil, leading Uruguay to a 2-1 victory.
• This match was played at the Maracanã stadium in front of over 200,000 fans.
• Ghiggia’s goal in the 79th minute silenced the Brazilian crowd and delivered heartbreak for the hosts.

Later International Career (1950-1958)

• Ghiggia continued to be a key player for Uruguay after the 1950 World Cup, appearing in the 1954 and 1958 editions.
• He was part of the Uruguayan squad that won the 1956 South American Championship.
• Ghiggia retired from international football in 1958 at the age of 32.
• He scored 16 goals in 39 appearances for Uruguay between 1945-1958.

Goal that Silenced the Maracanã

Alcides Ghiggia etched his name in football folklore by scoring the winning goal for Uruguay against Brazil in the final match of the 1950 World Cup. Some key facts about this unforgettable moment:

• The match was played at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro in front of a crowd of over 200,000.
• Brazil only needed a draw to win their first World Cup title. Uruguay had to win.
• Ghiggia received a pass from Julio Abbadie in the 79th minute with Uruguay trailing 1-0.
• He dribbled past Brazilian defender Bigode and shot the ball between goalkeeper Moacir Barbosa’s legs.
• This goal gave Uruguay a 2-1 lead which held till the end.
• Ghiggia’s goal silenced the massive crowd and delivered heartbreak for Brazil.
• The match became known as the “Maracanazo” delivering a national tragedy for Brazil.

Main Achievements and Awards

Some of Alcides Ghiggia’s major career achievements and awards:

• Copa América Champion: 1942, 1947, 1956
• FIFA World Cup Winner: 1950
• Italian Serie A Runner-up: 1953–54
• Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year: 1953
• Serie A Goal of the Year: 1953
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1950
• Uruguayan League Top Scorer: 1944
• Peñarol All-time XI: 2015
• Uruguayan Footballer of the Century: 1999
• FIFA 100 List of Greatest Living Players: 2004

Ghiggia is remembered as a legend in Uruguay and one of the heroes of their 1950 World Cup triumph. His “maracanazo” goal remains one of the most famous moments in World Cup history.

Playing Style and Influence

As a right winger, Alcides Ghiggia was renowned for his:

• Pace and dribbling ability
• Trickery to beat defenders in one-on-one situations
• Unpredictable style of play
• Ability to score and create goals

Ghiggia’s individual skills and flair made him a nightmare for defenders. He brought fans to their feet with his mazy dribbling runs.