Forlan retires from internationals

Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan announced his retirement from international football on Thursday.

Forlan made the announcement at a news conference in Japan with his J-League club Cerezo Osaka and admitted it had been a tough 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 Uruguay.

Forlan described the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player and scored five goals, as one of his "best memories."

The 35-year-old said he is now focused 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," Forlan said.

"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 in 2014 but managed only seven goals in 26 games.

His contract has been extended through July, and he scored in Cerezo's season-opening 1-1 draw away to Tokyo Verdy on Sunday.