Diego Lugano, who captained Uruguay to a memorable semi-final appearance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, has announced his retirement to bring down the curtain on a glittering 19-year playing career.
A stoic but athletic centre-back, Lugano enjoyed a fruitful decade-long career for La Celeste, which ended in 2014.
Lugano debuted during the unsuccessful qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup, before appearing on the world stage in 2010 as Uruguay finished fourth, and he also represented his nation four years later in Brazil.
Lugano earned 95 caps, winning the Copa America in 2011, and featuring at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013.
Now 37,…