Forlán, at the Marca Forum: “I’d love to retire at Atlético de Madrid”
“I get goose bumps when thinking about the Cup final”
Diego Forlán attended the Marca Ballesteros Forum on the afternoon of Wednesday 25 at a packed Lázaro Galdiano Foundation. He was greeted with the war cry used at the Calderón, the now classic ‘u-ru-gua-yo’ and accompanied by his family, his girlfriend, Zaira, and his brother, Pablo, with his wife, his representative, Daniel Bolotnicoff, and a large representation from Club Atlético de Madrid, headed by its President, Mr. Enrique Cerezo. Also there were Mr. Lázaro Albarracín, Vice-President of the Social Department, and the coaching staff, with Quique Sánchez Flores, Fran Escribá, head assistant, and Emilio Álvarez, goalkeeping coach.
Also in attendance were former players such as Adrián Escudero, Luis Pereira and Pedro Pablo, now first squad delegate. The President of the Atlético de Madrid Foundation, Mr. Enrique Collar, was there along with the Director of said body, Mr. Germán Robles. And apart from Atlético de Madrid were former national team and Atlético manager Mr. Vicente Miera, as well as renowned journalist Mr. José María García and boxer Javier Castillejo.
The act was hosted by journalist Olga Viza and at Forlán’s table sat Mr. Enrique Cerezo, Mr. Eduardo Inda, Director of daily Sports newspaper Marca and Mr. José Antonio Abellán, journalist and ‘admitted rojiblanco’, as presented.
Mr. Eduardo Inda was the person in charge of opening the ceremony and praised Diego Forlán. Of the Uruguayan he said “he’s one of the five best centre forwards in the world, if not the best. He’s a gentleman on and off the pitch. Quique’s ‘Superatleti’ wouldn’t be the same without Diego Forlán.” Following him, Mr. Enrique Cerezo stepped up to the microphone to say that “this auditorium seems like a small movie theatre and there’s not a better setting than this for a movie-like player such as Forlán. He’s a magnificent players and an excellent person. We’re proud and happy to have him with us. He brings ‘atléticos’ together in a special relationship and he is, along with other players, the backbone of the team. He’s played a big part in bringing us the last two titles. He’s a player from head to foot.”
Mr. José Antonio Abellán highlighted that Diego Forlán has an important person in his life, his maternal grandfather, Carlos Corazo. He stated that “he was marked by the accident suffered by his sister, Alejandra, when he was 12 years-old. In addition to fighting for his sister, with time he became an ambassador for Unicef and every goal that he scores is scored by a Unicef ambassador. That’s why an ‘N’ should be added to his surname, Corazo” (in English, ‘corazón’ means ‘heart’). Abellán then told a story from Forlán’s time at Manchester United. “When he left the team they say that Ferguson told him that, worse than his departure was that he was going and the manager still didn’t know if he was left or right-footed.” Forlán nodded, affirming the anecdote. “It’s true. But the truth is that sometimes I don’t know which foot I shoot better with either.”
When the questions from the readers of Marca began, the Atlético ‘7’ was categorical in response to the first one about whether or not he wanted to retire at Atlético de Madrid. “I’d love to. If it were up to me, I’d retire here. Those in the front office are the ones who decide.” He was asked by his President if he was going to stay at the ‘rojiblanco’ side, and his response was clear: “I’m under contract at Atlético and I’m very happy. I never said that I wanted to leave. That’s why I didn’t come out and respond to that rumour.”
Another one of the questions asked by Mr. Enrique Cerezo was about his relationship with Quique Sánchez Flores. The ‘charrua’ was honest in his response: “My relationship with the gaffer is perfect. I thank Quique, Fran, Emilio, Pedro Pablo, Pereira… everyone who is here with me at this ceremony. What happened is that I felt like I wasn’t getting as many minutes as I wanted and the coach decided that I shouldn’t play. Now I have to admit that he was right because I feel better than I did a couple of months ago.”
Returning to his continuity at Atlético, Mr. Enrique Cerezo stated that “Diego will be here as long as he wants.” Forlán took the microphone and commented that “my quality of life here in Madrid and in the team is great. I’m very happy here. I think returning to play in Uruguay would be tough because I’d like to stay here in Europe for a lot longer.”
Boxing champions Javier Castillejo asked him what his most exciting game was. Forlán replied that “there are two. The Europa League final in Hamburg and the Copa del Rey final. The one in Hamburg was the first final that I’d played in. One dreams about scoring a goal in a final as a child and I was able to score two. The second match that left a mark on me was the Cup final at the Camp Nou. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. My father was in the stadium and he played in many finals but he left impressed with our supporters. I didn’t even realise the moment in which Sevilla raised the Cup because of the deafening noise from our fans.”
Then it was Quique Sánchez Flores’ turn to ask him questions, and he recalled an anecdote from Anfield, against Liverpool. “He hinted at, with his eyes moving around like crazy, whether I was going to make the second substitution because Liverpool might score a second goal.” Forlán replied that “I knew that they could score the second and I saw that we were missing that final pass, I asked him for the change and it gave us life. Then, in the UEFA final I didn’t want it to go to a penalty shootout and before the overtime started Quique told me that I was going to score a goal.”
With respect to his relationship with Agüero, he was emphatic. “It’s very good. Each of us knows how the other moves. We might get heated at some point during a match, but that passes quickly. We know our movements and that’s why we work well together.”
Regarding who he’d like to win the Golden Ball, he had no reservations. “They should give it to me, of course. No, but seriously, I’m aware that there are 23 of us and there are great players. It’s complicated. I’ve been lucky enough to win individual awards and I never think about them.”
When Abellán asked him if he had 100 million Euros, who he would sign Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi, he didn’t hesitate: “Messi”.
Many people have spoken about Atlético de Madrid as an alternative to Real Madrid and Barcelona. Forlán pointed out that “they have a big lead and we’d love to be the alternative. Right now we’re far behind. They’re going to keep earning points and then we’ll see what happens.”
To finish, Abellán asked him whether he’d ever beat Real Madrid. Forlán reminded that “I already beat them with Villarreal. But we’ve played very good games against Madrid. In the last one, if we’d scored a goal we’d have gotten back into the match. Now we have the chance to possibly play them in the Cup. Hopefully we’ll get the change and furthermore with the return leg at the Calderón”.
Also in attendance were former players such as Adrián Escudero, Luis Pereira and Pedro Pablo, now first squad delegate. The President of the Atlético de Madrid Foundation, Mr. Enrique Collar, was there along with the Director of said body, Mr. Germán Robles. And apart from Atlético de Madrid were former national team and Atlético manager Mr. Vicente Miera, as well as renowned journalist Mr. José María García and boxer Javier Castillejo.
The act was hosted by journalist Olga Viza and at Forlán’s table sat Mr. Enrique Cerezo, Mr. Eduardo Inda, Director of daily Sports newspaper Marca and Mr. José Antonio Abellán, journalist and ‘admitted rojiblanco’, as presented.
Mr. Eduardo Inda was the person in charge of opening the ceremony and praised Diego Forlán. Of the Uruguayan he said “he’s one of the five best centre forwards in the world, if not the best. He’s a gentleman on and off the pitch. Quique’s ‘Superatleti’ wouldn’t be the same without Diego Forlán.” Following him, Mr. Enrique Cerezo stepped up to the microphone to say that “this auditorium seems like a small movie theatre and there’s not a better setting than this for a movie-like player such as Forlán. He’s a magnificent players and an excellent person. We’re proud and happy to have him with us. He brings ‘atléticos’ together in a special relationship and he is, along with other players, the backbone of the team. He’s played a big part in bringing us the last two titles. He’s a player from head to foot.”
Mr. José Antonio Abellán highlighted that Diego Forlán has an important person in his life, his maternal grandfather, Carlos Corazo. He stated that “he was marked by the accident suffered by his sister, Alejandra, when he was 12 years-old. In addition to fighting for his sister, with time he became an ambassador for Unicef and every goal that he scores is scored by a Unicef ambassador. That’s why an ‘N’ should be added to his surname, Corazo” (in English, ‘corazón’ means ‘heart’). Abellán then told a story from Forlán’s time at Manchester United. “When he left the team they say that Ferguson told him that, worse than his departure was that he was going and the manager still didn’t know if he was left or right-footed.” Forlán nodded, affirming the anecdote. “It’s true. But the truth is that sometimes I don’t know which foot I shoot better with either.”
When the questions from the readers of Marca began, the Atlético ‘7’ was categorical in response to the first one about whether or not he wanted to retire at Atlético de Madrid. “I’d love to. If it were up to me, I’d retire here. Those in the front office are the ones who decide.” He was asked by his President if he was going to stay at the ‘rojiblanco’ side, and his response was clear: “I’m under contract at Atlético and I’m very happy. I never said that I wanted to leave. That’s why I didn’t come out and respond to that rumour.”
Another one of the questions asked by Mr. Enrique Cerezo was about his relationship with Quique Sánchez Flores. The ‘charrua’ was honest in his response: “My relationship with the gaffer is perfect. I thank Quique, Fran, Emilio, Pedro Pablo, Pereira… everyone who is here with me at this ceremony. What happened is that I felt like I wasn’t getting as many minutes as I wanted and the coach decided that I shouldn’t play. Now I have to admit that he was right because I feel better than I did a couple of months ago.”
Returning to his continuity at Atlético, Mr. Enrique Cerezo stated that “Diego will be here as long as he wants.” Forlán took the microphone and commented that “my quality of life here in Madrid and in the team is great. I’m very happy here. I think returning to play in Uruguay would be tough because I’d like to stay here in Europe for a lot longer.”
Boxing champions Javier Castillejo asked him what his most exciting game was. Forlán replied that “there are two. The Europa League final in Hamburg and the Copa del Rey final. The one in Hamburg was the first final that I’d played in. One dreams about scoring a goal in a final as a child and I was able to score two. The second match that left a mark on me was the Cup final at the Camp Nou. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. My father was in the stadium and he played in many finals but he left impressed with our supporters. I didn’t even realise the moment in which Sevilla raised the Cup because of the deafening noise from our fans.”
Then it was Quique Sánchez Flores’ turn to ask him questions, and he recalled an anecdote from Anfield, against Liverpool. “He hinted at, with his eyes moving around like crazy, whether I was going to make the second substitution because Liverpool might score a second goal.” Forlán replied that “I knew that they could score the second and I saw that we were missing that final pass, I asked him for the change and it gave us life. Then, in the UEFA final I didn’t want it to go to a penalty shootout and before the overtime started Quique told me that I was going to score a goal.”
With respect to his relationship with Agüero, he was emphatic. “It’s very good. Each of us knows how the other moves. We might get heated at some point during a match, but that passes quickly. We know our movements and that’s why we work well together.”
Regarding who he’d like to win the Golden Ball, he had no reservations. “They should give it to me, of course. No, but seriously, I’m aware that there are 23 of us and there are great players. It’s complicated. I’ve been lucky enough to win individual awards and I never think about them.”
When Abellán asked him if he had 100 million Euros, who he would sign Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi, he didn’t hesitate: “Messi”.
Many people have spoken about Atlético de Madrid as an alternative to Real Madrid and Barcelona. Forlán pointed out that “they have a big lead and we’d love to be the alternative. Right now we’re far behind. They’re going to keep earning points and then we’ll see what happens.”
To finish, Abellán asked him whether he’d ever beat Real Madrid. Forlán reminded that “I already beat them with Villarreal. But we’ve played very good games against Madrid. In the last one, if we’d scored a goal we’d have gotten back into the match. Now we have the chance to possibly play them in the Cup. Hopefully we’ll get the change and furthermore with the return leg at the Calderón”.
