Forlan quits Uruguay national team

Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan has quit the Uruguay national team.

Forlan, who joined Spanish side Villarreal earlier this year, is unhappy at his lack of first-team opportunities with the once-mighty Uruguayans and has informed coach Jorge Fossati he no longer wishes to be considered for selection.

In remarks reported in the Spanish media, his father Pablo Forlan said: “Diego has personally told Jorge Fossati in a face-to-face chat that he did not want to slow down the progress of the national team and that he would like to step aside.”

The hirsute Uruguayan played only 13 minutes in the 4-2 defeat by Argentina as a substitute – they were 4-0 down when he entered the fray and did not feature at all in the 0-0 draw with Bolivia yesterday in a World Cup qualifier.

That seems to have been the final straw for Forlan, who then informed Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) president Eugenio Figueredo of his decision.

His previous appearance was against Colombia on June 6 when he played as a substitute – again coming on when the game was already lost at 4-0 – the final score would be 5-0.

In 24 appearances, the 25-year-old Forlan has scored nine goals for the “Celeste” (Sky Blues).