Feels nice to be recognised: Forlan

The most valuable player of the 2010 World Cup Diego Forlan feels that the value of the recognition matters more that the time when he received it.

The Uruguayan captain who won the Golden Ball for his inspiring show that helped the unheralded Latin American nation finish fourth in the World Cup said being adjudged the best player is the reward for his hard work.

“It is feels nice to be recognized at the best player of the world. That is more important to me, it doesn't matter when it came,” said Forlan during a news conference on Saturday evening.

“I never though about winning the Golden Ball. I was more focused on giving the best for my country,” Forlan said.

Forlan said winning the Golden Ball was definitely the most cherished moment of his career.

“The Golden Ball is the recognition for all round excellence and I rate it over the golden boot which is for the best striker,” Forlan said.

Rating his acrobatic goal against Germany the in the third-position play-off as the best, Forlan said he cherishes all the five goals as they were important in his team's progress. The Uruguayan skipper rued the shot that went off the cross piece denying his team the chance of equalizing in the last minute of the match against Germany.

“The German players are tall and so I tried to keep the ball close to the bar. It is sad that it hit the bar and went off,” Forlan said.

About his club prospects Forlan, who said he was approached by the brother of Manchester United manager Alex Freguson, denied any plans of moving back to his old club.

“I have three year contract with Atletico Madrid, so I alone cannot decide on moving out of it,” he said.