Striker Diego Forlan has given Atletico Madrid a major boost ahead of Sunday's must-win clash against Valencia by pledging his commitment to the club beyond the end of the season.
The 29-year-old former Manchester United forward has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer, but he insists he is happy in the Spanish capital and is focused on securing Atletico a place in next season's Champions League.
"There are always rumours that I will leave in the newspapers," said Forlan, whose last-minute winner against Espanyol last weekend ensured Atletico moved back to within a point of fourth-placed Valencia.
"I am very happy though, I have a contract here and I want to qualify for the Champions League," he added in AS.
"The talk about signings is something that you [the press] do for the likes of Real Madrid.
"We are only thinking about the game against Valencia, which we have to do well in if we are to reach the Champions League. I'm very pleased to be at a great team like Atletico Madrid."
Forlan has bagged 27 league goals this season - one behind Primera Division top scorer Samuel Eto'o - and his double last Sunday, the first of which was a left-foot screamer from 25 yards, could prove vital.
He is delighted with his tally, adding: "I will enjoy the moment I'm in as to have scored more than 25 goals is something very good."
Los Rojiblancos must pip Valencia to fourth place to claim a berth in the qualifying stages of the Champions League and, with three games remaining, midfielder Maxi Rodriguez knows what they have to do.
"We know what we are playing for and we cannot fail," he told Marca. "We must look at this game as the opportunity to beat our direct rivals and to try and get into the Champions League places."
The 29-year-old former Manchester United forward has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer, but he insists he is happy in the Spanish capital and is focused on securing Atletico a place in next season's Champions League.
"There are always rumours that I will leave in the newspapers," said Forlan, whose last-minute winner against Espanyol last weekend ensured Atletico moved back to within a point of fourth-placed Valencia.
"I am very happy though, I have a contract here and I want to qualify for the Champions League," he added in AS.
"The talk about signings is something that you [the press] do for the likes of Real Madrid.
"We are only thinking about the game against Valencia, which we have to do well in if we are to reach the Champions League. I'm very pleased to be at a great team like Atletico Madrid."
Forlan has bagged 27 league goals this season - one behind Primera Division top scorer Samuel Eto'o - and his double last Sunday, the first of which was a left-foot screamer from 25 yards, could prove vital.
He is delighted with his tally, adding: "I will enjoy the moment I'm in as to have scored more than 25 goals is something very good."
Los Rojiblancos must pip Valencia to fourth place to claim a berth in the qualifying stages of the Champions League and, with three games remaining, midfielder Maxi Rodriguez knows what they have to do.
"We know what we are playing for and we cannot fail," he told Marca. "We must look at this game as the opportunity to beat our direct rivals and to try and get into the Champions League places."
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