Close friendships and national ties will mean
nothing once Sunday’s top of LaLiga clash
between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid begins,
according to former Atlético forward Diego
Forlan.
Forlan
At least eight of the 22 starters at the Camp
Nou will be South Americans, including stars
from LaLiga ambassador Forlan’s home
country of Uruguay, plus neighbors Argentina
and Brazil.
International colleagues will chat and joke
before and afterwards, but once the play
starts things get serious, says Forlan, who
scored 96 goals in 198 games for Atlético from
2007-11.
“Personally, I play my game and I want to
win,” Forlan says. “Then after the game you
are friends again. Obviously it is difficult to
get into an argument with your international
teammate. But it depends on what happens in
the play, and each player’s personality.”
On Sunday, Argentina captain Lionel Messi of
Barcelona faces his fellow Rosario-born
forward Angel Correa of Atlético Madrid,
whose coach is Buenos Aires’ native Diego
Simeone. Three Uruguayans feature – with
Barca’s center-forward Luis Suarez up against
Atlético defenders Diego Forlan and Jose
Maria Gimenez. Plus four Brazilians – in new
Barça midfielders Philippe Coutinho and
Paulinho, versus Atlético left-back Filipe Luis
and Brazil-born Spain international Diego
Costa. Barca’s new Colombian defender Jerry
Mina is likely to start on the bench.
Forlan knows from experience what happens in
these cases, having played against his
Uruguay teammate Martin Caceres in Atlético
v Barça clashes during the 2008/09 LaLiga
season.
“There are usually messages exchanged,
depending on the type of friendship,” he says.
“In this case for sure they will be writing to
each other. With Martin we talked before and
after the game. But once on the pitch we
were both focused on our own game. These
matches are the nicest ones to play. I really
enjoyed facing Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Although we suffered more at the Camp Nou.”
Forlan is currently at Hong Kong side Kitchee,
with Mumbai City, Cerezo Osaka, Brazilian club
Internacional, Penarol of Montevideo, LaLiga’s
Villarreal, Manchester United and Argentine
side Independiente on his long and impressive
CV.
The 38 year old is sure Sunday’s game, in
which second placed Atlético aim to cut the
gap to leaders Barça, will be followed by
LaLiga fans everywhere.
“Thanks to globalization these games are now
very important all over the world,” he says.
“Some kids now follow a team from a place
they have never been to, but get to know.
Things have changed.”