Diego Forlan Begins New Era with Uruguay Amid Valverde Injury

Diego Forlan’s new era with Uruguay has begun with a jolt of reality and a major absentee.

The legendary former striker has officially taken over as interim head coach and will lead La Celeste on a three-game tour of Asia, but he will do it without his midfield cornerstone: Federico Valverde.

Valverde blow before a ball is kicked

Valverde was ruled out of the trip after suffering a severe ankle injury in the Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid. The knock was serious enough that Uruguay’s staff kept the decision on hold until the last possible moment, monitoring the Real Madrid midfielder closely.

The verdict was clear. The long-haul flights to Asia risked aggravating the swelling, and Forlan chose caution over temptation.

“The doctor spoke with Fede and obviously he's feeling some discomfort,” Forlan said, underlining that the medical team had tracked the situation right up to the deadline. Protecting Valverde’s long-term fitness took priority over any short-term gain from his presence on tour.

So Valverde stays in Spain to continue his rehabilitation. Uruguay move on without him.

Martinez steps in as Forlan reshapes the core

To plug the gap in central midfield, Forlan turned to Palmeiras’ Emiliano Martinez, calling him up as a direct replacement. Martinez will link up with the squad on the move, joining a group that mixes new faces with familiar leaders.

This is not just a friendly tour; it is a reset after a bruising 2026 World Cup campaign. Forlan has wasted no time in freshening the group.

Uncapped players Thiago Cardozo, Juan Rodriguez, and Facundo Bernal have all earned their first call-ups, a clear signal that the interim coach is willing to look beyond the established hierarchy.

Alongside them, some of Uruguay’s battle-hardened figures are back in the fold. Nahitan Nandez, Lucas Torreira, and Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo all return, giving the squad a spine of experience around the newcomers.

Forlan’s message is simple: performance and discipline will define this cycle. He wants sharper collective play, tighter structure, and a team that can control games rather than chase them.

Asian tour as an audition

The schedule offers little time for easing in.

Uruguay open their tour on Thursday, September 24, against Japan at the Q&A Stadium Miyagi in Rifu. From there, they head to Seoul to face South Korea four days later, before closing the window in Kolkata against India on October 6.

Three games. Three different environments. One big audition.

Positive results on this tour could do more than restore confidence. They could strengthen Forlan’s case to stay beyond the interim tag as Uruguay look ahead to the 2028 Copa America and the 2030 World Cup.

Forlan steps into his first game in charge in Japan knowing exactly what is at stake: not just a winning start, but the chance to lay the foundations of Uruguay’s next great side.