Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, the 2010 World Cup MVP and joint top scorer, on Thursday announced his retirement from international soccer.
The 35-year-old Forlan made the announcement at a news conference with his J. League second-division club Cerezo Osaka and admitted it wasn't an easy decision to call it quits.
It was an extremely difficult decision but the time has come to make way for a new generation (of players), said Forlan, who played in three World Cups and scored 36 goals in 112 appearances for his country.
Forlan, who described the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he scored five goals, as one of his best memories, said he is focused now on helping Cerezo win promotion back to the first division following their relegation last season.
My goal right now is to give everything I have got and contribute to getting Cerezo Osaka promoted to J1, said Forlan. I am not thinking at all about retiring as a player.
Forlan, two-time leading scorer in the Spanish first division, arrived in the J. League amid much fanfare but managed only seven goals in 26 league games last season.