Diego Forlan, a former one-man demolition squad in the Uruguayan offence, places team wins over awards won for the spectacular goals he has scored. The winner of European Golden Shoe twice (2004-2005 & 2008-2009) and the FIFA Golden Ball once (2010 World Cup), he values victories like the 2011 Copa America over personal milestones.
“I feel happy when the goals I scored helps the national team to qualify or win tournaments. Titles won as a team give me more joy,” said the 37-year-old.
Mumbai City FC’s marquee player scored six times in 10 appearances at three FIFA World Cups (2002, 2010, 2014), besides 15 goals in 47 World Cup qualifying games for Uruguay.
The Indian Super League is the Uruguayan’s second stint in Asia, after a successful J-League debut with Japan’s Cerezo Osaka in the 2014-2015 season. Forlan moved to Japan from Brazilian club Internacional on an 18-month contract and guided his club into the AFC Champions League knockouts in the process.
Replying to a question about Japan’s success among Asian nations in gaining World Cup qualification, he said, “The Japanese try to do things as perfectly as possible. It is difficult for others to follow their way, not many countries in Asia have managed.”
Five back-to-back appearances in the FIFA World Cup, since Japan’s debut in 1998, is a remarkable achievement by the nation.
Forlan said that Japan sends its talented youngsters to major football nations. “Uruguay has seen many young Japanese, who come in groups to play, watch Uruguayan teams in training and learn.”
He added: “The Japanese believe in taking something from everyone. Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, you will find young Japanese in most of the leading football nations. The J-League clubs also invite foreign players. The rise in club standards helped Japan put up a better show internationally.”
