Uruguayan striker of Argentine descent, Juan Eduardo Hohberg has one of the most interesting and inspiring stories, coming back from 'death' to play football again in a World Cup semi-final.
The semi-final of the "Switzerland 1954" World Cup pitted Hungary and Uruguay against each other, the two powers of the moment that brought together more than 40 people at the La Pontaise stadium in Lausanne.
On June 30, the reigning world champions met the Olympic champions, a golden streak threatening to dethrone the heroes of the Maracanazo.
The two's performance in that World Cup had been overwhelming, leading journalists to predict the "Match of the Century", despite the fact that neither Puskas nor Obdulio Varela, their key figures, would be on the field due to injury.
However, the rain complicated things, especially for the Uruguayans, who already after 12 minutes were at a 1-0 disadvantage and at the beginning of the second half they got the second shot. The disadvantage forced them to claw back their ticket to the finals, but a comeback looked remote.
Until, with 15 minutes to go, in a deadly counterattack, Schiaffino unearthed a masterful pass for Juan Eduardo Hohberg to score the goal to narrow the lead to 2-1.
It was the dream debut for Hohberg, an Argentine forward who accepted Uruguayan citizenship to be at the World Cup in Switzerland. And it was even more dreamlike when he scored the equalizer in the 87th minute to send the game to extra time.
Once again it was Schiaffino who fed a pass into the box for Hohberg, who sent the ball into the net for a 2-2 tie.
2-2 forced extra time and burst the euphoria of the Uruguayans. The goalscorer ran in euphoria to celebrate with his teammates and the joy brought them to the ground hugging each other.
But after the party, Juan Hohberg did not rise. He had suffered a cardiac arrest, Telegraph reports.
The referee called the medical staff to come to his aid. Off the field, near the goal that had just been shaken, the doctor was giving him chest massages and mouth-to-mouth breathing, but he did not respond.
The stadium was silent, although the ball rolled again, people were still watching Juan's situation closely.
An assistant came from the dock with Coramina, a drug to stimulate the heart, and after a few minutes, Hohberg responded.
He died for 15 seconds and was resurrected creating an interesting story that is still being mentioned almost 100 years later.
But, the most incredible thing has yet to be revealed.
With the game heading into extra time, Hohberg put the jersey back on and returned to the pitch to defend his country's colors in the remaining minutes.
Despite their bravery, Hungary scored two more goals, progressed to the final and handed Uruguay their first World Cup defeat.
However, the World Cup did not end there for La Celeste. Four days later, in Zurich, they played the third-place match against Austria.
An intense duel between the two national teams, but which the South Americans would lose 3-1, with the only goal scored by the legend Juan Hohberg. /Telegraph/
