The former Manchester United striker spoke to us about our current no.21 and his influence for the national team, in advance of critical South American qualifiers that will go a long way to determining whether Uruguay can avoid missing out on the tournament for the first time since 2006.
A proud nation that won the trophy in 1930 and 1950, and reached the quarter-finals in Russia four years ago, Uruguay are struggling in seventh spot in the table with crunch games to come during this break against Paraguay (Wednesday 26 January) and Venezuela next Tuesday (1 February).
Ties with Peru and Chile will follow in March to wrap up the qualifying campaign.