Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has pinpointed the role played by Uruguay great Diego Forlan in helping him to emerge on the world stage. In addition to calling Old Trafford home in their respective careers, the frontmen also represented Uruguay together at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Having totted up a record 200 goals in seven years at PSG, veteran Cavani swapped Paris for Manchester in 2020. Hampered by injuries this season, the 35-year-old has netted only twice in the Premier League and he continues to play second fiddle to five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, as he proved during his first campaign at Old Trafford, the former Palermo and Napoli man still represents a notable threat at the top level. As for mentor Forlan, he will return to Old Trafford in May as part of a charity game between United legends and their counterparts from bitter rivals Liverpool.
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During an interview with MUFC media, Cavani said: "I was fortunate enough to have played alongside Diego. For those of us who were starting out our development as players, seeing players like Diego who had already made a name for themselves in the football world was just fantastic.
"Because they were the kind of players who, back home, you would really follow closely, in order that one day in the future you might just be able to be like them.
"I then had the chance to play in the national team with him, so then it was a real honour for me to pick things up and learn from him, just like you always try and learn stuff from all those players who make their name in the world of football.
"So as I say, it was a real pleasure and honour for me to play alongside him and. In addition, we got to share some really big moments, too, like playing together in big qualifying matches and the World Cup finals in South Africa. It was really special and they were really great memories which will stay with me forever."
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