Montevideo, Dec 17 (EFE). Former footballers Diego Forlán, Diego Godín, and Diego Lugano were recognized on Tuesday as 'Leyendas Celestes' (Celeste Legends) by the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF). Created in 2024, this award aims to honor and highlight the great figures of football who 'filled the pages of glory and epic' for the Uruguayan national team. 'With some victories and many defeats, as in life, but we never held anything back,' Lugano emphasized. The three were teammates at the 2010 South Africa World Cup, where Uruguay reached the semifinals for the first time in 40 years. 'It was my life,' Godín pointed out after being recognized. Forlán celebrated receiving an award voted for by the people and highlighted the affection that the players of the generation that played at the 2010 South Africa World Cup and became champions of America in 2011 receive both in the South American country and abroad. On Tuesday, Forlán, Godín, and Lugano were recognized by the AUF during the annual ceremony organized by the Uruguayan Mutual of Professional Footballers (MUFP) to honor the careers of retired players. In this year's edition, 50 former footballers received the MUFP Distinction Ring in the Career category. The first to be chosen was Luis Suárez, the historic goalscorer of the Celeste. The current Inter Miami player received his award from former national team coach Óscar Washington Tabárez on the same day he left the national team during a match for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. A year later, they won the Copa América in Argentina after thrashing Paraguay 3-0 in the final. They also played together at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, a tournament where the Celeste achieved two memorable victories over Italy and England, before being eliminated in the round of 16 by Colombia. 'We shared so many battles and, above all, we shared the most intense moments of our lives, which was defending the Celeste on and off the pitch with everything we had. This recognition 'gives value to the professional path, sustained dedication, and the values built throughout a career linked to high-level football.' 'I played for 20 years and almost 18 were with the national team. I gave everything I could, body and soul. It marked my professional and personal life.'
