Diego Forlán

At 44 years old, Diego Forlán has this physical status:

Diego Forlán Corazo (born 19 May 1979) is a Uruguayan professional football manager and former footballer who competed as a forward. Forlán, who is regarded as one of the finest forwards of his time, is a two-time champion of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe at club level. He had a lot of success at the 2010 World Cup, including the tournament's goal and winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

Forlán began his playing career in Uruguay as a youth with Pearol and Danubio before joining Independiente in Argentina. He sealed a transfer to England with Manchester United in 2002 after rising through their youth team and ending in a fruitful four-year career. Although he won the Premier League in 2002–03 and the FA Cup in 2003–04, his form for United was not as strong as at Independence. He moved to Villarreal, Spain, in the summer of 2004. He scored 25 goals in his first season in Spanish football, as well as the Pichichi Trophy. Forlán played for two more enjoyable seasons with Villarreal, where he became the league's top scorer once more, winning the Pichichi Trophy twice since Ronaldo in 1996–97 and 2003–04. In Atlético's 2010 Europa League final victory over Fulham, Forlán scored in Atlético's 2010 Europa League final victory over Fulham. He began his career with Inter Milan, Italy, before moving to Internacional in 2012. Forlán retired from professional football in August 2019, after spells in Japan with Cerezo Osaka's boyhood club Pesaka, in Uruguay with Pearol, and in Hong Kong with Kitchee.

Forlán also had a fruitful international career, scoring 36 times for his country between 2002 and 2015, with six goals at FIFA World Cups. Forlán earned his 79th international cap in a match against Mexico on July 12, 2011 in Argentina, beating record holders Rodolfo Rodrez in 1986. Forlán became the first Uruguayan to win 100 caps in a match against Nigeria at the 2013 Confederations Cup on June 20th. Forlán, Uruguay's all-time top scorer from 2011 to Luis Suárez's overtok him two years later.

Personal life

Forlán was born into a footballer family, with his father Pablo playing for Pearol (1963–1975) and Uruguay (1970–1975), as well as his maternal grandfather Juan Carlos Corazzo, who died in Argentina. Forlán, an Italian, Basque, and Irish descendant, was linked to Athletic Bilbao following his transfer from Manchester United, despite the fact that the club only accept Basque players. Cachavacha, a witch who is one of the Atagonists of the Argentine cartoon series The Adventures of Hijitus, is his name.

Forlán, the founding member of Fundación Alejandra Forlán, is outspoken about the risks of reckless driving. Alejandra was injured in a car crash in 1991 and became paralyzed as a result. Diego Maradona helped Forlán's father raise funds for his daughter's medical expenses when he was a football player in the 1970s. She was integral in his inspiration to play football, and the entire family has gathered round to ensure that the foundation is given the same attention as it was in Uruguay.

Forlán appeared in a music video for Coti in 2009 starring Argentine footballer Maxi Rodrez.

On his official Twitter page, Forlán announced on 9 March 2011 that he and Argentinian model/actress Zaira Nara are engaged to marry. Forlán and Nara had announced in June 2011 that they were ending their relationship. There was no reason given for the breakup.

Forlán is married to Paz Cardoso, and the pair have two sons, Martn and César, who were born in February 2016, and Luz, a daughter born in May 2017.

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Club career

Forlán, a Uruguayan international and former footballer Pablo Forlán, was born in Montevideo. He played tennis in his youth and attended English language classes, in lieu of football. He was a Pearol boyhood fan.

When Alejandra's sister Alejandra was injured in a horrific car crash that killed her boyfriend and left her in intensive care for five months and handicapped thereafter, he decided to pursue his father's playing career in football. When Forlán was 16, he was taken to France by former manager László Bölöni and spent several months on trial at AS Nancy. However, the club opted against signing him, and Forlán returned to South America.

Forlán has played for several South American clubs, including the Independiente team, where he scored 37 goals in 80 league games. In January 2002, Independiente and Middlesbrough of the Premier League piqued the interest of European sides, and the transfer fee was paid in 18 installments. Forlán travelled to England intending to discuss Middlesbrough, but Manchester United blasted Independence, pledging Independence the same amount as well as a more lucrative salary for Forlán. On his arrival in England, the Uruguayan negotiated with United Kingdom officials for four hours before notifying the world of his decision. "Manchester United is a big club, so I've decided to go there," the narrator explained. "They gave more money than Middlesbrough." He signed for United soon after.

Sir Alex Ferguson had signed Forlán to Manchester United for £6.9 million on January 22, 2002. In a 4–0 away win at Bolton Wanderers, he made his 76th-minute replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjr on Jan. 29. In a 4–0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur on March 6, he got his first start in a 4–0 home win. Forlán made 13 Premier League and five UEFA Champions League appearances in the 2001–02 season, but did not score.

Forlán made his debut in a Champions League match against Maccabi Haifa on September 18, 2002, on Friday. In the 5–2 victory, he scored his first United goal on 89th-minute penalty kick. In a home 1–1 draw against Aston Villa on October 26, he scored his first Premier League goal, a 77th-minute equalizer. With the score at 1–1, he came on as a 79th-minute replacement for United's goalscorer Phil Neville, and scored the winner with a dipping shot over Southampton goalkeeper Antti Niemi in the 85th minute in Forlán's next Premier League match, at home to Southampton on 2 November. The goal was also notable for his goal celebration, where he ripped off his jersey, but the game progress continued, with Forlan making a blocked tackle when shirtless.

Forlan's first brace for Manchester United came in the 64th and 67th minute of an away 2–1 Premier League victory over rivals Liverpool on December 1st. United defeated Chelsea in the Football League Cup quarterfinals on December 17, 2002, forlán's winning goal. Forlán defeated Chelsea again in a Premier League match on January 18, 2003, this time in a 90-minute winning goal. Manchester United won the Premier League in 2002-03, and Forlán scored six goals to make him the club's third best-scoring striker of the season, after Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjr.

Forlán played seven Premier League games without scoring at the start of the 2003-2004 season. In the 45th minute of a home match against Fulham, a match that United lost 3–1. Forlán also scored a goal in his three subsequent matches in three different leagues, starting with an extra-time goal in an away League Cup match at Leeds United, which Manchester United defeated 32-0. The opener was followed by a 3–0 home Premier League victory over Portsmouth and a sixth-minute goal in the Champions League, which was followed by the same score over Rangers in the Champions League. He scored the 85th-minute winner for United over Panathinaikos in a 1–0 away victory in his next Champions League match. Manchester United defeated Aston Villa 4–0 at home in the Premier League on December 6, 2003, forlán's two injury-time goals. Despite Forlán's appearance in ten more Premier League games this season, these were his last Premier League goals. In a 3–0 victory over Northampton Town of Division Three in the FA Cup on January 24, 2004. He was his only other Manchester United goal. Diego Forlán was not present in United's 3–0 victory over Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup Final on May 22, 2004.

He started his career with Manchester United in 2004 and played in a Champions League qualifier against Dinamo București and a 3–1 loss to Arsenal on August 8. United's last game of the season was a 1–0 loss away to Chelsea on August 15th.

Despite not being a success at United, United supporters continue to sing their name in honor of the two goals he scored against Liverpool: "He came from Uruguay, he made the Scousers weep" and Forlan says it still makes him smile.

Forlán had been heavily linked to a move to Levante and Athletic Bilbao, but he was able to sign with Villarreal on August 21, 2004.

In the 77th minute of a 2–1 loss, Forlán's debut for Villarreal was on August 30, 2004, starting away from rivals Valencia and scoring his team's goals. His next goal came in a home 2–0 win over Real Zaragoza on October 3rd, and was followed by an equalizer in a 1–1 draw at Mallorca and the final goal of a 4–0 victory over Numancia. Forlán scored seven goals in five Primera División matches between December 2004 and 2005, with a brace in a 3–0 home win over Barcelona on January 9th. He scored his first hat-trick for a European club with all of Villarreal's goals in a 3–3 away draw against eventual league champions Barcelona on May 22nd. Villarreal ended the season in third, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history, a week later. With 25 goals in La Liga, Forlán won the 2004–05 Pichichi Trophy for the most goals. Thierry Henry, the Arsenal striker, also posted the 2005 European Golden Boot with Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.

Villarreal's goal rate decreased in 2005-06 season, but the club was still in the Champions League semi-finals after being knocked out by Arsenal.

He played in 36 league appearances from 2006-07 and finished the season with 19 goals in 36 appearances.

In June 2007, Forlán was linked to a move with Juan Román Riquelme and Atlético Madrid in exchange for Luis Perea plus cash. Atlético Madrid reported on June 30 that they had agreed to a fee of about €21 million following Fernando Torres' departure to Liverpool. He returned to England in February 2008 to play in Atlético's UEFA Cup match against Bolton Wanderers (the club against whom he made his Manchester United debut), but the team lost out 1–0 on aggregate, but the team lost 1–0 on aggregate. Forlán played for Atlético for the first time in over a decade in May 2008, scoring the winning goal against Deportivo de La Corua. He scored 23 goals in Madrid's first season and formed a strong relationship with Argentinian striker Sergio Agüero.

Forlán scored twice against Espanyol on May 9, 2009 to help Atlético win Champions League qualification for the second year in a row. Los Rojiblancos were trailing 2–0 at halftime and had seen Luis Perea sent off, but the Rojiblancos regained 3–2 thanks to a season-best candidate from Forlán, as well as a last-minute winner. In addition, he was instrumental in victories over Barcelona, Villarreal, and Valencia. Forlán won the La Liga Pichichi Trophy for the second time and the European Golden Boot for the second time on May 23, 2009. He played a total of 32 goals in 33 games during the 2008–09 season.

Forlán's start to a league season since being relegated in 2000, the 2009–10 season got off to a shaky start. Atlético was held to a 1-1 draw at home against Mallorca on October 24, 2009, with only nine players on the field. Forlán scored a goal and missed another. Atlético supporters and Others protested the disappointing result and results, as well as critique of Forlán, who was then suspended from the squad for the next game. Atlético's performance began to rise after the arrival of new boss Quique Sánchez Flores, and Forlán's second half of the season saw the semifinals of both the Europa League and Copa del Rey. Atlético defeated Barcelona 2–1 at the Vicente Calderón on February 14, 2010, forlán's first goal of the season. Forlán scored the only goal of the game in Atlético's Europa League semi-final first leg at home to Liverpool on April 22, 2010. Liverpool took the game to extra time a week later before taking a 2–1 aggregate lead. Forlán made it 2–2 on aggregate, giving Atlético the away goal they needed to qualify for the final, against Fulham at Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, on May 12th. In the final, Forlán defeated Fulham 2–1 and was named man of the match. He finished the season with a total of 28 goals, six in Atlético's burgeoning Europa League campaign.

The 2010–11 season for Forlán and Atlético has won the UEFA Super Cup for the second time, defeating Inter Milan 2–0 in Monaco on August 27, 2010. Forlán began the season slowly, and after scoring three times in the first two league games, he went 12 matches without a goal before finally winning a double against Osasuna on November 13th.

Diego Forlán had joined Inter Milan as a replacement for the late Samuel Eto'o on August 29th. No financial details were announced, but it is believed that the 32-year-old signed an initial two-year contract. In a 4–3 loss to Sicily club Palermo on September 11, he made his debut on September 11, scoring with a good left foot shot. Forlán scored his second goal for Inter against Catania in a 2–2 draw on March 4, 2012. When Forlán told Sky Sports that he intends to remain in Inter, he expressed his loyalty to Inter and his decision to remain. You haven't seen the true Forlán yet... I wouldn't want to leave Interno like this. I like challenges, but I wouldn't want to leave if the team isn't in a good shape." In June, his father confirmed that the striker will continue to be a Nerazzurrri striker. The Italian club announced on July that he had been released after only scoring twice in 22 appearances, effectively ending the season's last year. Forlán has stated that his poor results with the Nerazzuri was due to being cast out of place. In addition, former Inter and Uruguay player lvaro Recoba said he failed at Inter because of his predecessor Samuel Eto's success, which caused Forlán to fail to live up to expectations.

Forlán signed a three-year contract with Brazilian club Internacional on July 6, 2012. He had resigned his Internation contract with Inter. He was also affiliated with Tigres UANL and Club América. Forlán was a member of another Mexican team, León, until January 2013. Forlán had the opportunity to compete in the 2013 Copa Libertadores at León; Internacional, on the other hand, retained Forlán's services for the 2013 season.

On July 28, 2012, he made his Brazilian debut against Vasco da Gama. In a 4–1 victory over Flamengo, Forlán scored his first two goals for Internacional. Forlán also helped the team win 2013 Campeonato Gacha by scoring nine goals, the most at the tournament.

Forlán signed Cerezo Osaka, a Japanese J1 League team, on January 22nd. He made his AFC Champions League debut with Pohang Steelers in a 1–1 draw, as well as his J. Sanfrecce Hiroshima, the current champions, lost 1–0 on their first game in the league. In a 4–0 victory over Buriram United in an AFC Champions League match, he scored his first goal for Cerezo. Forlán scored two goals in the Osaka derby against local club rivals Gamba Osaka on April 12th. On April 23, he scored a vital goal against Shandong Luneng, putting his team through the AFC Champions League's knockout stage. Guangzhou Evergrande defeated Cerezo Osaka in the first round, losing 5–1 at home in the first leg. Despite the humiliating home loss, the team won by a 1–0 margin after Liao Lisheng's own goal. However, this was not enough to overcome the 5–2 aggregate lead.

With a goal against Tokyo Verdy drawing 1–1, he started his new campaign in his first season in J2 League. On April 29, 2015, Forlán scored his first hat-trick against Kyoto Sanga FC, his team winning 3–0.

Forlán signed a three-month deal with his boyhood club Pearol on July 10, 2015. Pearol defeated the championship in his first season at the club, scoring eight goals in 31 appearances. Forlán revealed on June 14th, 2016, during a press conference, that he would leave the team.

Forlán signed a three-month contract with Indian Super League club Mumbai City in August. In their 5–0 win over Kerala Blasters on 19 November, he scored a hat-trick.

Mumbai finished first in the league table and advanced to the semi-finals of the playoffs, where they will face ATK. Mumbai equalized and took the lead from Leo Costa and Gerson Vieira's headers shortly after conceding an early penalty. Forlán had free kicks in both cases. In the second half, Forlán was given a red card as ATK won the match 3–2.

Forlán joined Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee on January 4, 2018. In a 2–2 draw against Southern, he made his Kitchee debut on January 14, 2018, when coming off the bench in the 88th minute. In a 7-0 victory over Biu Chun Rangers on January 28, Forlán scored his first and second goals for Kitchee. In a 5–1 victory over Lee Man FC in the following match, he scored a hat-trick. Forlán played in Kitchee's 1–0 victory over Kashiwa Reysol in the 2018 AFC Champions League, assisting Kitchee to become the first-ever Hong Kong team to win a match in AFC Champions League history. Forlán's last match with the team, featuring in the first 56 minutes of a 2–0 win, moved on to win the Hong Kong Premier League for the first time this season.

Forlán announced his retirement from professional football on August 7th, a year after leaving Kitchee.

International career

In the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup match against Nigeria, Forlán's 100th cap appearance will be his in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup match against Nigeria. He scored his 32nd goal on October 11, making him Uruguay's top scorer of all time in official matches, defeating Héctor Scarone who had only scored 31 goals since 1930. (Scarone scored 42 goals in total, but 11 of them were in unofficial matches).

Forlán made his Uruguay debut on March 27, 2002, scoring his first goal in a 3–2 friendly loss to Saudi Arabia. He scored a volley against Senegal on June 11, 2002 in a group stage 3–3 draw. Uruguay and France were ruled out of the tournament together with Uruguay and France in Group A, despite going from three goals down to draw the game. Pablo and Jean, the respective fathers of Uruguay and France, were involved in the match between Uruguay and France in 1966, which was also in Group A.

Forlán wore number 21 for Uruguay at the 2004 Copa América in Peru, just after his transfer from Manchester United to Villarreal. He appeared in all six games as they were ranked third under Jorge Fossati's leadership. Forlán's only goal was in the 2–1 victory over Ecuador, Uruguay's first group victory. They finished third out of four teams in the competition.

In the 35th minute of the 2007 Copa América semi-finals, Forlán scored against Brazil. However, he missed his opportunity during the subsequent penalty shoot-out, which Brazil eventually defeated 5–4.

Forlán scored a hat-trick in a World Cup qualifying match against Peru on June 17.

Forlán opened the scoring with a right footed long range effort on June 16, 2010 during Uruguay's second group game against South Africa in the 2010 World Cup. In Uruguay's 3–0 victory over the host country, Forlán scored from the penalty spot, shooting high into the air for his second goal, and he also had a hand in his third game. Forlán made a free kick against Ghana on July 2nd, securing the quarterfinals. Uruguay advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Ghana 4–2 in the penalty shootout, ending the game 1–1 and advancing to the semi-finals. Forlán scored another long range goal, this time with his left foot, to equalize against the Netherlands in the semi-finals on July 6th. Uruguay eventually lost 3–2 as the Dutch advanced to the final after a halftime score of 1-1. Forlán made history by scoring three goals from outside the penalty area in one tournament since Lothar Matthäus in 1990. Forlán scored for the final time in the tournament on July 10, 2010, he netted a well-executed volley from the edge of the area to put Uruguay up. This goal, which came from an Egidio Arévalo Rós pass, was chosen by FIFA as the Tournament's Goal. In the third place play-off, Forlán then defeated Germany 3–2 on the last kick of the game from a free kick. Forlán was named the tournament's top player. He was also selected for the tournament's team and was the joint top scorer at the World Cup with five goals.

Forlán scored twice after Luis Suárez's first goal, helping Uruguay win their 15th Copa América title and become Uruguay's joint top scorer at international level after defeating Paraguay 3–0 in the final. The father and grandfather of Forlán were both South American champions with Uruguay for a time spanning the 95 years of the world's oldest active tournament.

Forlán appeared as a 69th-minute replacement in Uruguay's opening 2013 Confederations Cup match against Spain on June 16, 2013. Forlán scored the winning goal in Uruguay's second group game, winning his 100th cap for his country. He was later rested for the next match against Tahiti. Uruguay lost 1–2 to Brazil in the semi-finals, where Brazilian goalkeeper Jlio César saved him from a penalty kick. He was back in the starting lineup.

Forlán was a member of Uruguay's World Cup team in Brazil in 2014. In place of Luis Suárez's absence at the age of 35, he began the first match against Costa Rica, a group underdog. Uruguay lost the game 3–1. Uruguayn goalkeeper Keylor Navas had a deflected shot saved him. Forlán did not appear in the Round of 16, where Uruguay was defeated 2–0 by Colombia.

Forlán resigned from the national team on March 11, 2015. He earned 112 caps and 36 times for Uruguay.

Coaching career

Forlán was elected as the head of his former club Pearol on December 20, 2019. He was suspended on September 1, 2020, after winning just four of his 11 games in charge. He was appointed as the head of Atenas de San Carlos de la Uruguayan Segunda División on March 17th, 2021. He was released on September 16, 2021, following a 2–1 loss to Rampla Juniors.

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