Sebastián Abreu

Sebastián Abreu Gallo, the eternal 'El Loco', is one of the most charismatic and well-traveled forwards in the history of South American football. Over more than two decades of career, he wore the shirt of more than 26 clubs in at least 12 different countries, becoming a unique character in world football. His moment of immortality came at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In the quarterfinals against Ghana, with the scoreline level in the penalty shootout and the responsibility of the final kick on his shoulders, Abreu chipped the goalkeeper with a dink — the famous Panenka-style chip — and qualified Uruguay for the semifinals. The scene was broadcast around the world and immortalized the 'El Loco' nickname definitively. On the pitch, he was a gritty center-forward, intelligent in his movement and efficient in his finishing. Off it, his extroverted personality and his endless club resume transformed him into a pop icon of Latin American football, with stories and tales that enriched the folklore of the sport. For the Uruguayan National Team, he played in the World Cups of 2002 and 2010 and celebrated the achievement of the 2011 Copa América, ending an international career full of memorable moments.