Diego Forlan retires from Uruguay national team

Former World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan has retired from Uruguay's national team. Forlan, 35, played in three World Cups for Uruguay. He led Uruguay to a fourth-place finish in the 2010 World Cup and won the Golden Ball award after leading the tournament with five goals.

Former World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan has retired from Uruguay's national team, the Associated Press reports.

Forlan, 35, played in three World Cups for Uruguay. He led Uruguay to a fourth-place finish in the 2010 World Cup and won the Golden Ball award after leading the tournament with five goals.

Forlan, who currently plays for Cerezo Osaka in Japan, said his retirement is in the best interest of the national team.

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“Of course, this was a very tough decision but it's time to make way for a new generation (of players),” Forlan said.

During his 13-year career with the national team, Forlan scored 36 goals in 112 matches.

His club career has included stints with Manchester United, Villareal and Inter Milan.

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