Uruguay star striker Diego Forlan celebrates after scoring against Germany during their World Cup third place play-off at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.Photo: AFP

The greatest football tournament on earth comes to an end on July 11, 2010. Full of controversies, this Fifa World Cup in South Africa was full of entertainment with things happening on and off the pitch; from Shakira's 'Waka Waka' to K'Naan's 'Wavin Flag', from Kaka's red card to Suarez's handball.
But one attraction that stood out more than anything else was the 'ball'. Better known as the 'Jabulani', this latest toy by Adidas remained a point of controversy all throughout the World Cup. Although some critics averted the blame from the Jabulani to the altitude of South Africa, the majority criticised the ball endlessly. It did not dip like the usual balls do; it would fly away at the slightest pressure.
Potential shots by players like Lampard, Torres and the like, would orbit aimlessly in the air, disappointing the players and fans alike. However, some players showed true finesse in controlling the Jabulani.
Stars like Messi, Villa, Iniesta and the like exercised outstanding control over the ball. But one golden haired individual, who was far from the limelight before the start of the tournament, caught the attention of all with his control over the troublesome Jabulani.
As the World Cup comes to an end Uruguay took on Germany for the third place play-off. It was Germany's second time in a row fighting for third place. The game was a very exciting one with a lot of action and goals. The Germans won in the end, though it was not them who shone brightly.
It was a man with golden hair, with a very athletic body capable of doing extraordinary things with the ball.
It was the free-kick he took in the 93rd minute that stole the essence of the match as the ball hit the bar, had the ball gone in it would have been a completely different story altogether.
The bar might have denied him the goal but nothing could deny the fact that Diego Forlan stood up at every opportunity he got for his team. It can be said that Forlan was the heart of Uruguay in this World Cup; it was for his exquisite goals that Uruguay hurdled to the semifinals after 40 long years.
He is without doubt the powerhouse of this Uruguayan side. Before the World Cup Forlan shone bright as ever for his team as Atletico Madrid went on to win the Europa League.
Although he lacks the huge fan following of superstars like Ronaldo or Messi, the 31-year old striker was phenomenal in this World Cup, as he finished with five goals and almost bagged a sixth. So many controversies circled around the Jabulani throughout the World Cup, but Forlan had no qualms over the ball, rather he took the challenge of taming the Jabulani, which was evident in every touch he made.
All the five goals that he scored had different characteristics. His first goal came against South Africa, a beautifully struck shot from outside the penalty area, which dipped perfectly at the right moment and went into the net. Forlan's second came in the same match with a perfectly slotted penalty kick. Forlan's resilience was starting to show as the World Cup drew to the round of sixteen. The golden haired man still had a lot left to give as he hit three more outstanding goals. One in the quarterfinal against Ghana with a perfect free-kick which dipped and swerved past the Ghana keeper.
Forlan, a natural right footer, blasted past the Dutch keeper a shot with his left foot in the semifinal. Forlan yet again proved that he could be as deadly with both feet. To his frustration, Forlan could not pull Uruguay through to the final but his style, play, runs and astonishing goals kept the fans on their toes to come out and experience the third place play-off.
This third place match almost gave Forlan the perfect World Cup finish, where he scored his fifth goal with an exquisite volley. The moment that stole the quintessence of the whole match came when Forlan hit the German bar with his trademark freekick.
That ended Diego Forlan's run for this World Cup, but carved his name in the heart of all football fans throughout the world. As the master of Jabulani tames its pet, Forlan has shown the world that he is a force to be reckoned with.