Diego Forlan, whose fine performances and five goals helped Uruguay finish fourth at the 2010 World Cup, announced his retirement from international soccer on Thursday.

Forlan, who scored 36 goals in 112 matches for Uruguay during a 13-year international career that included three World Cups, announced his decision at a news conference in Japan where he plays for Cerezo Osaka.

"It was a very difficult decision, having worn the Uruguay shirt for so many years, more than I could have dreamed of," the 35-year-old said in the conference broadcast on his personal website (www.diegoforlan.com).