Forlan: Award for ´work of the whole team´

Diego Forlan paid tribute to his Uruguay teammates upon accepting the Golden Ball for best player at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Striker Forlan, who plays his club football for Atletico Madrid in Spain’s La Liga, was announced as the winner back in July but received the award from German legend Franz Beckenbauer at a glittering ceremony in Nuremberg on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old’s five goals helped Uruguay to a semi-final place in South Africa, where they were eventually beaten by 3-2 by the Netherlands. He edged out Dutchman Wesley Sneijder and Spain’s David Villa to take the honour.

Forlan was quick to credit his teammates for their contribution in lifting Uruguay to their first World Cup semi-final in 40 years.

“It is obvious that this award is great for me, but it is for the work of the whole team,” Forlan said.

“The goals that I scored were very important in helping us win matches at key moments when matches were very tight. They were goals that I enjoyed and will remember.”

Forlan, however, said he was envious of Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas – who won the Golden Glove award for conceding the fewest goals in the tournament – claiming the trophy everybody played for was the title of World Cup champions.

“The team awards are very rewarding and like in the case of Iker, he won the World Cup and of course one would prefer to win that trophy,” he said.

“We are really happy with what we did in the World Cup, we gave joy to our country.”