'Our values will not change' - Uruguay head coach Diego Forlán speaks ahead of match against India
Uruguay have one win in their last nine games
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The Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan is all set to host the marquee fixture between India and two time world champions Uruguay on 6th October.
After a 1-1 draw against Panama, India succumbed to a 4-0 defeat to Brazil in the last game. Despite the defeat, India’s resilient performance won a lot of hearts, and even players like Bruno Guimarães and Vinicius Jr. showered their praise for the Blue Tigers.
Uruguay, on the other hand are going through a transitional phase. After bowing out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the group stages and after failing to win games against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, head coach Marco Bielsa was sacked.
Uruguayan legend Diego Forlán was appointed as the head coach after the sacking of Marco Bielsa. The former FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner is familiar with Indian football, as he previously played in the ISL for Mumbai City FC.
Ahead of the big game against India, Uruguay head coach Diego Forlán briefed the media about Uruguay’s preparations for the big game.
Forlán’s transition from player to coach
Diego Forlán feels that the pressure is normal as both a player and a coach for the Uruguayan national team. Hailing from a family of coaches, he feels it’s a moment of pride for his family, as he is a third-generation coach, having watched his grandfather and father coach teams.
He played under big coaches like Sir Alex Ferguson, Manuel Pellegrini and Javier Aguirre. He highlighted how his experience playing under Sir Alex Ferguson during his Manchester United days was heartwarming.
“As a player and as a manager, there is always different pressure. You need to make the team play well. Our history is long. Pressure comes along with this career as a player and manager. My grandfather was also a coach and my Father too. I think it’s never happened in the history of football. My family is really happy.” – He said.
Forlán recalls his time playing in India
Forlán also praised the Indian football team for their performance against Brazil. He also feels that a lot has changed in the last decade. He feels that it’s a step in the right direction for the Indian football team when they organise friendlies against big nations like Brazil and Uruguay.
“India had some really good moments. There were some really nice combinations of plays from the Indian team against Brazil.”
Diego Forlán’s last visit to Kolkata ended tragically after he picked up a red card against ATK in the first leg of the semi-finals for Mumbai City FC. He recalled how he enjoyed his visit to India during those six months.
“Since I left, many things have happened. When I was here, I saw really good, young and talented players. It is good that the Indian football team is playing against big teams like Brazil and Uruguay.”
“Like in Kolkata, Kerala, Goa, and Mumbai, I really enjoyed playing in India. The Northeast also had some really good players. The cities I mentioned above have a good football culture.”
“The experience was good. Hospitality in Kolkata was great. Every time I’ve come here in India, people have been nice. It’s a very historic and cultural place to be. “
Forlán defends Uruguay players amid negativity
For back-to-back editions of the FIFA World Cup, Uruguay failed to qualify for the knockout stages. Amid trolls and negativity, Forlán reiterated that it’s not always right to blame players on social media.
“We need to understand that we are going to win and lose. When we win, we are not the best, and when we lose, we are not the worst. When we didn’t qualify for the knockout in the last two editions, it’s not good for Uruguay.”
He feels that Uruguay had a good team and players like Araujo (former captain of FC Barcelona) and Valverde (Captain of Real Madrid), were part of the World Cup squad.
“It’s not that we don’t have good players. Ronald Araujo and Fede Valverde, two captains of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, were with us. People on social media don’t understand what the players feel. It’s our values that will not change. They need to understand: I am gonna be the same whether I win or lose. “
When will India play against Uruguay?
The Indian National Football Team will play against Uruguay on 6th October, 2026. The match will be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan VYBK in Kolkata.
What were the results of Uruguay’s last 5 fixtures?
In their last 5 matches, Uruguay drew against Saudi Arabia 1-1, drew 2-2 against Cabo Verde, a 1-0 loss to Spain, lost 3-1 to Japan & won 4-1 over South Korea most recently.