Europe not far away: Forlan

“Dream big,work hard and you can achieve. We can see Indian players playing in England,Italy or Spain in the future,” said Forlan,who has come to the city on the invitation of a Bengali television channel. On Sunday,he will cheer the Match Academy trainees from the dug-out when they play against Mohun Bagan at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (YBK).

Kolkata has hosted many a top international player in the last couple of years…from Gerd Mueller to Diego Maradona. Forlan is one the few active players to have paid a visit to the city,and he comes here as the Golden Ball winner in the recently concluded 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

It was his five goals and inspirational leadership that guided the South Americans to a fourth-place finish in the World cup. They might have narrowly missed out on a podium — Forlan’s free-kick on the whistle in the third-place playoff match against Germany found the crossbar — the striker said he enjoyed every bit of his performance in the quadrennial showpiece.

“It turned out to be a fantastic tournament. The goal I scored against Germany was the best of the lot. And once I was nominated for the Golden Ball award,I knew I had a chance to win it. I don’t have any regrets for not winning the Golden Boot award,because the one I got was the recognition of my all-round ability,” he said.

While Forlan earned acclaim for his performance,Uruguay came in for intense criticism after they eliminated Ghana in the quarter-finals. In one of the biggest controversies of the event,Luis Suarez blatantly hand-balled in the box to deny what was a certain winner for the Africans.

Expectedly,Forlan defended his team mate. “I don’t blame Suarez. He did it for his team. Ghana got a penalty and Suarez was sent off. Ghana couldn’t score from that penalty and we won the match,” he said. “This is football.”

From being called Diego ‘Forlorn’ in 2004 for his inability to find the back of the net during his two years at Old Trafford,to becoming one of the most feared poachers in the world,he has seen it all. Now 31years old,he is at peace with himself. That the recognition came so late is also not a regret. “Doesn’t matter if it is late. I am enjoying (the accolades),” said Forlan.

Recognition also came late from United,the club’s first team coach Rene Mulenstein texted him during the World Cup. Is he mulling over a return to Old Trafford? “It’s not for me to decide. In any case,I have three years of my contract left with Atletico Madrid,” Forlan replied.