The 33-year-old said Diego Maradona had been among those to call his family after the accident in Montevideo on Sept. 24.

"I'm fine and I'm happy," he said in a radio interview. "I will be grateful for the rest of my life, it means I have left an important mark in the hearts of many people."

Silva, who was out of contract at the time, suffered an exposed fracture in his right leg after his pick-up truck collided with a lamppost on Montevideo's sea front.

Two other people in the vehicle escaped with minor injuries.

The following day, doctors said they had no other option but to amputate the leg below the right knee.

Lots of people had called to offer their support, he said.

"Maradona was the one which caused the biggest impact. He spoke to my family because I was unconscious at the time."

Silva made 49 appearances for Uruguay, including the 2002 World Cup finals, and scored 14 goals.

His club career took him to local sides Defensor Sporting and Penarol, Spanish clubs Espanyol, Sevilla and Malaga, Italy's Cagliari and English Premier League side Portsmouth.

When the radio interviewer said he would visit him in hospital, Silva joked; "Don't take too long because I'm leaving soon."