Kimberley: Uruguay striker Diego Forlan, dubbed 'Forlorn' during his spell in England, is relishing a run of form that has helped take the South Americans to their first World Cup quarter-final in 40 years.
"Yes, I'm enjoying the football and everything... I always like playing football," Forlan told Reuters.
He has scored twice at the tournament so far and has clicked with strike partner Luis Suarez, who has three goals, to help Uruguay top a group that included 2006 runners-up France. Uruguay face Ghana on Friday for a place in the semi-final after defeating South Korea 2-1 in the second round.
Forlan arrived in South Africa after a great season with Atletico Madrid. He scored twice against Fulham in the Europa League final to help the Spanish side lift the trophy.
"The way the team played with Atletico Madrid was nice and also being in the World Cup is really nice so I'm enjoying this," said Forlan.
He is playing in his second World Cup and follows in the footsteps of his father Pablo, a defender who represented Uruguay at the 1966 and 1974 editions. With his long blonde hair tied back in a headband, Forlan is instantly recognisable among his darker-hued compatriots.
GREAT TIME
He did not have the best of luck during his two years with Manchester United, where the goals dried up and he earned the unfortunate nickname Diego Forlorn. His strike rate of 10 goals in 63 league games, albeit with 40 substitute appearances, hardly set the Premier league alight. However, he endeared himself to the fans with his habit of whipping off his shirt and bearing his torso when he did score and he does not look back on those days with regret.
"I was very happy. The only thing is I wasn't playing but I had a great time there. I left because I wanted to play regularly. That was the only reason I left," he said.
Forlan has flourished since moving to Spain in 2004, with 120 goals in 208 matches for Villarreal and Atletico Madrid. He won the Pichichi trophy for being top La Liga top scorer in 2005 and 2009 when he also claimed the European Golden Shoe award. His seven strikes in the World Cup qualifiers played a big part in getting Uruguay to South Africa.
Now Uruguay are still in contention while several big powers have fallen although he sympathised with England's plight.
"They had a good World Cup. They qualified. They played against a really good team, Germany. Then in the game they had that goal that was not allowed. One team had to leave," he said.
The 31-year-old has also been a hit with the locals in Kimberley, Uruguay's base camp for the campaign. When fans were allowed to meet the players at the start of a training session on Tuesday, one teenage girl declared: "I love you!" The ice cool striker faltered if only for a moment.
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