Reuters Soccer Blog

Forlan’s fond memories of Leeds

It was a surreal experience to sit at Atletico Madrid´s training ground talking to a Uruguayan former Manchester United player about the Leeds United team circa 2002.

That´s what happened to me on Monday after interviewing Diego Forlan, whose face lit up when I told him I was from Leeds.

“I used to love playing there. I remember they had a really strong team,” he said thinking back to his spell with Manchester United between 2002 and 2004.

The Atletico frontman had been a bit stilted while the television camera had been on him, talking about his team, La Liga, Uruguay and his future, but he relaxed as we shaped to go.

From the Bernabeu to the Galpharm Stadium

As I huddled deeper into my jacket at the Galpharm Stadium on Saturday, watching Huddersfield Town play local rivals Leeds United, I regretted having made scoffing remarks about the overhead heaters in the stands at the Bernabeu.

I’m lucky to be able to visit Real Madrid’s iconic arena regularly through my work, reporting on La Liga stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Clough film is enjoyable but a clear piece of fiction

Michael Sheen has successfully impersonated Tony Blair on television and in the film “The Queen” followed by a less convincing portrait of David Frost in “Frost/Nixon”.

He can now be viewed in British cinemas playing charasmatic English soccer manager Brian Clough during his 44 nightmare days at Leeds United in the film based on the 2006 novel “The Damned United”.