UruguayBiography
International soccer player and one of the most talented sprinters of early times in Latin America. Born in Montevideo from Lesotho immigrants. Started playing football in Penarol (1915), then joined Atletico Club Olimpico for athletics training. Competed three official and two unofficial (non-recognized event from CONSUDATLE) South American Championships. He had 200-400m doubles both in 1919 and 1920 Sudamericana Athletics. Breaks five South American records. Due to racial disturbance, he refused to go to the 1928 Olympics with Uruguayan soccer team where they eventually won the gold medal. Sadly, he died in a poverty in Montevideo.
NOTES
♦ Played 23 times for Uruguayan National Football Team and scored 10 goals.
♦ Won 1916 and 1917 Copa America with Uruguay.
♦ In Penarol, he played 212 matches and scored 101 goals.
♦ Played for Olimpia FC (later River Plate Montevideo) between 1922 and 1929.
♦ He supports and played for the organization of 'rebel' Uruguayan Soccer Federation (FUF), which later forced to merged 'official' federation, AUF.
♦ Book about him: Testimonio de una vida: Isabelino Gradin by Carina Blixen
♦ For all Uruguay National Soccer team matches, go to AUF page