Godin Beams With Pride After Setting Uruguay Record

By Max Wise

Atletico Madrid and Uruguay captain Diego Godin says he is beaming with pride after becoming the most-capped player in the history of his national team.

The 33-year-old made his 126th appearance for Uruguay on Monday as he led La Celeste to win the China Cup with a 4-0 victory over Thailand, surpassing Maxi Pereira in the process.

Uruguay successfully defended the trophy they won last year, without the injured pair of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, thanks to goals from Matias Vecino, Gaston Pereiro, Cristhian Stuani and Maxi Gomez.

Now at the twilight of his career, Godin revealed how proud he was to reach the milestone and promised to keep going with the national team.

"I continue coming with the same enthusiasm and the same desire as the first day I debuted," Godin said.

"That speaks to the feeling generated by selection for an Uruguayan footballer.

"The feeling for me does not change, the moment I stop feeling that for this shirt I probably do not deserve to be here."

Godin made his debut for the Uruguay national team as a 19-year-old in 2005 against Mexico and was part of the side that won the Copa America in 2011.

Godin will be competing at his fifth Copa America tournament in Brazil in June where Uruguay have been drawn in Group C alongside Ecuador, Japan and holders Chile.