KUALA LUMPUR: Local football fans are set for a treat next month, as Uruguay, one of the most storied teams in world football, will play two matches in Malaysia.
La Celeste will play a friendly against the Dominican Republic at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Oct 10 before meeting
Uzbekistan at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka on Oct 13.
The Uruguay squad, led by
vaunted coach Marcelo Bielsa, are expected to feature Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, Barcelona defensive rock Ronald Araujo, and Manchester United enforcer Manuel Ugarte.
The Uruguay team will arrive in Kuala Lumpur, fresh from sealing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, capped by a 3-0 win over Peru.
Chargee d’Affaires of the Uruguay Embassy in Malaysia, L. Mariela Machado, said the tour is not only about football but also about building cultural bridges.
“Since I arrived in Malaysia, the names people always mentioned were Cavani, Suarez, and Darwin Nunez. This tour is about celebrating these stars with Malaysians, and more importantly, it’s a first step in creating a bridge between our countries through football,” she said.
While Machado kept her cards close when asked about the squad list, she emphasised that Uruguay’s strength has always been their collective spirit.
“In Uruguay, we always think as a team. Despite being a small nation of four million, our football has achieved greatness for over a century because we work together,” she said.
Uzbekistan, Uruguay’s second opponent, will field their own blend of rising stars and seasoned internationals, including Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), Abbosbek Fayzullaev (CSKA Moscow), veteran striker Eldor Shomurodov and playmaker Jaloliddin Masharipov.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
