Diego Forlán Corazo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈdjeɣo foɾˈlan]; born 19 May 1979) is an Uruguayan footballer who plays as a striker for Internazionale and the Uruguayan national team. He is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe, and also received the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2010 World Cup.
Forlán was born into a family of footballers; his father Pablo having played for São Paulo (1970–1975) and Uruguay in the 1966 and 1974 World Cups and his maternal grandfather, Juan Carlos Corazo, for Independiente in Argentina.[2]
Forlán joined Independiente himself after rising through their youth team, and after a successful four-year spell, he signed for Manchester United of England's Premier League. His form for United was not as successful as at Independiente, although he won the Premier League in 2003 and the FA Cup in 2004. In the Summer of 2004 he moved on to La Liga side Villarreal.
In his first season in Spanish football with Villarreal, Forlán scored 25 league goals and won the Pichichi Trophy. After two more successful seasons with Villarreal, Forlán joined Atlético Madrid, where he once again became the league's top scorer, and became the first player to win the Pichichi Trophy twice since Ronaldo achieved this feat in 2003–04. Forlán scored in Atlético's 2010 Europa League final victory against Fulham. In 2011 he joined Internazionale of Italy's Serie A.
Forlán also has a successful international career, having scored 32 times for his country since his 2002 debut. He scored once at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. He was the joint top scorer by scoring five times at the 2010 World Cup, in which he scored twice against the host nation South Africa, once against Ghana in the quarter-finals, once against the Netherlands in the semi-finals and once against Germany in the third place play-off. Despite being the joint top scorer in the tournament, Forlán did not receive an award for his goals due to tiebreakers. Forlán was however recognised with the Golden Ball award, given to the best player at the tournament.[3]
On 12 July 2011, at the 2011 Copa América in Argentina, Forlán earned his 79th Uruguayan cap, against Mexico, breaking the record held by former goalkeeper Rodolfo Rodriguez since 1986. Forlán is currently Uruguay's leading top scorer at international level in official matches.
Born in Montevideo, Forlán, son of former player and Uruguayan international Pablo Forlán, was a tennis player in his youth.[citation needed] He decided to follow the occupation of his father in playing football when his sister Alejandra was involved in a horrific car accident, which killed her boyfriend and left her in intensive care for five months and handicapped thereafter. In 1995, when he was 16, Forlán was brought to France by 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.
He has played for several South American clubs, including Argentine side Independiente, where he scored 36 goals in 77 league games.[4] His goalscoring attracted the attention of European sides, and in January 2002 he signed for Manchester United in the English Premier League for a fee of £6.9 million.[5]
Diego Forlán was signed for Manchester United by Sir Alex Ferguson for £6.9 million on 22 January 2002. He made his debut on 29 January as a 76th minute substitute for Ole Gunnar Solskjær in a 4-0 away win at Bolton Wanderers. He made his first start in 4-0 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur on 6 March. Forlán played 13 league and five Champions League appearances in the 2001-02 season but did not score.[6]
On 18 September 2002, Forlán came on as a 56th minute substitute for Ryan Giggs in a Champions League match versus Maccabi Haifa. He scored his first United goal as an 89th minute penalty in the 5-2 win. His first Premier League goal was a 77th minute equaliser in a home 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on 26 October. In Forlán's next Premier League game, at home to Southampton on 2 November, he came on as a 79th minute substitute for United's goalscorer Phil Neville with the score at 1-1, and scored the winner with a dipping shot over Southampton goalkeeper Antti Niemi in the 85th minute.[7] On 1 December he scored his first United brace with goals in the 64th and 67th minute of an away 2-1 Premier League win at rivals Liverpool.[8] Manchester United won the Premier League title in 2002-03, and Forlán scored six goals to make him the club's third best-scoring striker that season after Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjær.[9]
In the 2003-04 season, Forlán played seven Premier League games without scoring from the start of the season. This run was broken on 25 October, when he equalised the score to 1-1 in the 45th minute of a home match versus Fulham, a game which Manchester United lost 3-1. Forlán then scored a goal in his three subsequent matches in three different competitions, starting with an extra-time goal in an away Carling Cup game at Leeds United which Manchester United won 3-2. This was followed by the opener in a 3-0 home Premier League victory over Portsmouth and a 6th minute goal in a win by the same score over Rangers in the Champions League. In his next Champions League game, he scored the 85th minute winner for United over Panathinaikos in a 1-0 away victory. On 6 December 2003, Forlán scored two injury-time goals as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 4-0 at home in the Premier League. These were Forlán's last Premier League goals despite him playing 10 more league games over the season. His only other Manchester United goal was in a 3-0 victory over Northampton Town of Division Three on 24 January 2004 in the FA Cup.[10] Diego Forlán did not feature at all in United's 3-0 victory over Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup Final on 22 May 2004.[11]
He started the 2004-05 season with Manchester United and played in a Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Bucharest and their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on 8 August in the 2004 FA Community Shield. His last match for United was their first Premier League game that season, a 1-0 defeat away to Chelsea on 15 August.[12]
Forlán was strongly linked with a move to Spanish clubs Levante UD and Athletic Bilbao (although Athletic only permit Basque players, Forlán is of Basque descent[13]), but on 21 August 2004 he signed with Villarreal CF.
Diego Forlán's debut for Villarreal was on 30 August 2004. He started away to rivals Valencia CF and scored his club's goal in the 77th minute of a 2-1 defeat. His next goal came in a home 2-0 win over Real Zaragoza on 3 October, and was followed with an equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Real Mallorca and the final goal of a 4-0 win at home to CD Numancia. Between 12 December 2004 and 16 January 2005, Forlán scored seven goals in five Liga matches, including a brace in a 3-0 home victory over FC Barcelona on 9 January.On 22 May 2005 he scored his first hat-trick for a European club with all of Villarreal's goals in a 3-3 away draw versus eventual league champions FC Barcelona. A week later he scored two in a 4-1 victory over local rivals Levante UD as Villarreal ended the season in third, their first Champions League finsh.[14] Forlán won the 2004-05 Pichichi Trophy for most goals in La Liga, with 25. He also shared the 2005 European Golden Boot with Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.
His goal rate declined in the 2005–06 season as Villarreal underwent several changes, yet the club reached the semi-finals of the Champions League where they were knocked out by Arsenal.
In 2006–07, he ended the season with 19 goals in 36 league appearances (.53 goal every game).
Forlán was linked with a transfer jointly with Juan Román Riquelme to Atlético Madrid in exchange for Luis Perea plus cash in June 2007. On 30 June 2007, following the departure of their captain Fernando Torres to Liverpool, Atlético Madrid confirmed that they had agreed to a fee of around €21 million.[15] He returned to England in February 2008 to take part in Atlético's UEFA Cup clash against Bolton Wanderers (the club against whom he made his Manchester United debut), but the side lost out 1–0 on aggregate. In May 2008, Forlán helped Atlético qualify for the Champions League for the first time in over a decade, scoring the winning goal against Deportivo La Coruña.[16] He ended his first season in Madrid with 23 goals, and formed a potent partnership with Argentinian striker Sergio Agüero.
On 9 May 2009, Forlán scored twice against Espanyol to help Atlético clinch Champions League qualification for a second successive year.[17] Los Rojiblancos were trailing 2–0 at half-time and had seen Luis Perea sent off, but came back to win 3–2 thanks to a goal of the season contender from Forlán, as well as a last minute winner. He also scored crucial goals in wins over Barcelona, Villarreal and Valencia. On 23 May 2009, Forlán scored a hat-trick against Athletic Bilbao, which helped him win the La Liga Pichichi Trophy award, as well as the European Golden Boot for a second time.[18] He ended the 2008–09 season with a very impressive 32 goals in 33 matches (essentially a goal per game).
Forlán playing for Atlético Madrid.
Forlán started the 2009–10 season slowly, and struggled for form as Atlético made their worst start to a league season since their relegation in 2000. On 24 October 2009, Forlán scored a penalty and missed another as Atlético were held to a 1–1 draw at home against Mallorca, who had played the majority of the second half with just nine players on the field. The disappointing result and performance led to protests from Atlético supporters,[19] as well as criticism for Forlán, who was subsequently left out of the squad for the next game.[20] Atlético started to improve after the arrival new manager Quique Sánchez Flores, and once again, Forlán flourished in the second half of the season, as Atlético reached the finals of both the Europa League and Copa del Rey. On 14 February 2010, Forlán scored the first goal as Atlético beat Barcelona 2–1 at the Vicente Calderón, inflicting the eventual Champions only league defeat of the season.[21] On 22 April 2010, Forlán scored the only goal of the game in Atlético's Europa League semi-final first leg at home to Liverpool. A week later, Liverpool took the tie to extra time before taking a 2–1 aggregate lead. Forlán then scored again to make it 2–2 on aggregate, giving Atlético the away goal they needed to reach the final, in which they played against Fulham at Volksparkstadion on 12 May.[22] Forlán scored twice against Fulham in the final, in a 2–1 win and was awarded man of the match.[23] He ended the season with a total of 28 goals, including six in Atlético's successful Europa League campaign.
The 2010–11 season began with another trophy for Forlán and Atlético, winning the UEFA Super Cup, beating Internazionale 2–0 in Monaco on 27 August 2010.[24] Again Forlán started the season slowly, and despite finding the net three times in the opening two league games, he then went 12 matches in all competitions without a goal before finally scoring a double in a 3–0 win against Osasuna on 13 November.[25] He speculated Beşiktaş, Real Madrid and American club Seattle Sounders attempted to sign him in the January transfer window.[26]
On 29 August 2011, it was confirmed that Diego Forlán had joined Internazionale following the departure of Samuel Eto'o.[27] He made his debut on September 11 2011, scoring on the first game in a 4–3 defeat at Sicilian club Palermo.[28] On 4 March 2012, Forlán scored his second goal for Inter against Catania in a 2–2 draw.[29]
Forlán in action with Uruguay
Forlán made his debut for Uruguay on 27 March 2002, scoring his first goal in a 3–2 friendly defeat against Saudi Arabia.[30][31] During the 2002 World Cup, he scored a volley on 11 June 2002 in the group stage 3–3 draw against Senegal.[32] Despite coming from three goals down to draw the game, Uruguay were eliminated from the tournament along with France in Group A.[33] He also scored against Brazil in the 35th minute of the 2007 Copa América semi-final. However, he missed his shot during the subsequent penalty shoot-out, which Brazil ultimately won 5–4.[34] Since the 2007 Copa America, Forlán has become a regular for Uruguay, often in the starting XI. On 17 June 2008, he scored a hat-trick in a World Cup qualifying game against Peru.[35]
Diego Forlán and Youri Djorkaeff were, respectively, members of the Uruguay and France squads that met in the 2002 World Cup, in Group A. Their resepctive fathers, Pablo and Jean, featured in the match between Uruguay and France at the 1966 World Cup, which was also in Group A.
Forlán is currently Uruguay's all-time most capped player with 84 caps. On 11 October 2011, he scored his 32nd goal make him Uruguay's top scorer of all time in official matches, beating Héctor Scarone who had held the record alone with 31 goals since 1930.[36] (Héctor Scarone scored 42 goales in total but 11 of them in unofficial matches).[37]
Forlán was not a regular first-team player at the time of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, having only made his debut (scoring a goal) against Saudi Arabia earlier that year. Then of Manchester United, Forlán wore the number 21 shirt for Uruguay in the tournament. The manager, Victor Pua, favoured an attacking three of Alvaro Recoba, Sebastian Abreu and Dario Silva. After missing the first two matches of the group (a 2–1 loss to Denmark and a 0–0 draw with France), Forlán came on as a substitute in the final group game against Senegal, as part of a half-time double switch. When he came on for Abreu, his side were 3–0 down. Forlán scored in the 69th minute to make it 3–2 and Recoba equalised from a penalty with two minutes remaining. However Denmark's victory over France put them through ahead of Uruguay.
Forlán wore the number 21 for Uruguay at the Copa América in Peru, shortly before his transfer from Manchester United to Villarreal. He played all six games as they, under the management of Jorge Fossati, came third. Forlán's only goal was in the 2–1 victory over Ecuador, Uruguay's only group win. They advanced in third place out of four in the group.
Forlán wore the number 21 for Oscar Tabarez's Uruguay team for the 2007 Copa America in Venezuela, shortly after his transfer from Villarreal to Atlético Madrid. He did not score in Group A as they advanced in third out of four, losing 3–0 to Peru, beating Bolivia 1–0, and drawing 0–0 with the hosts.
They met Venezuela again in the first quarter-final on July 7. Forlán scored twice (one after 38 minutes and one in injury time) as his country won 4–1. In the semi-final against eventual winners Brazil, Forlán equalised Maicon's goal to make it 1–1 after 36 minutes, but the game ended 2–2. Uruguay lost on 5–4 on sudden-death penalties with Forlán missing the first one. Afonso Alves missed for Brazil, prompting sudden death, where Diego Lugano missed for Uruguay and Gilberto Melo scored for the Brazilians.
On 16 June 2010, during Uruguay's second group game in the 2010 World Cup against South Africa, Forlán opened the scoring with a long range effort. Later in the game, Forlán scored from the penalty spot for his second and also had a hand in Uruguay's third, in a 3–0 win over the host nation.[38] On 2 July 2010, Forlán scored a free kick against Ghana to equalise in the quarter-final. The game ended 1–1 and Uruguay advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Ghana 4–2 in the penalty shootout.[39] On 6 July 2010, Forlán scored another long range goal, this time with his left foot to equalise against the Netherlands in the semi-final. Despite a half-time score of 1–1, Uruguay eventually lost 3–2 as the Dutch advanced to the final.[40] Forlán became the first player since Lothar Matthäus in 1990 to score three goals from outside the penalty area in one tournament.[41] On 10 July 2010, Forlán scored for the final time in the tournament as he netted a well-executed volley from the edge of the area to give Uruguay the lead. This goal, from a pass by Arévalo Ríos, was selected by FIFA as the Goal of the Tournament.[42] Forlán then hit the crossbar with the final kick of the game from a free-kick as they lost to Germany 3–2 in the third place play-off.[43] Forlán was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. He was also picked for the team of the tournament, and was the top scorer at the World Cup with 5 goals.[44]
On 24 July 2011, Forlán scored twice after Luis Suarez's opening goal helping Uruguay win their 15th Copa America title and became Uruguay's joint top scorer at international level, his 31 goals matching those of Hector Scarone after beating Paraguay 3–0 in the final . Forlán's father and grandfather were also South American champions with Uruguay over a period spanning the 95 years of the world's oldest active tournament.[45]
Uruguay's goal tally first.
| International appearances and goals |
| # |
Date |
Venue |
Opponent |
Result |
Competition |
Goal |
| 2002 |
| 1 |
27 March |
Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam |
 Saudi Arabia |
2–3 |
International Match |
1 (1) |
| 2 |
17 April |
San Siro, Milan |
 Italy |
1–1 |
International Match |
|
| 3 |
16 May |
Wulihe Stadium, Shenyang |
 China PR |
2–0 |
International Match |
|
| 4 |
21 May |
National Stadium, Singapore |
 Singapore |
2–1 |
International Match |
|
| 5 |
11 June |
Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon |
 Senegal |
3–3 |
2002 FIFA World Cup |
1 (2) |
| 2003 |
| 6 |
28 March |
Olympic Stadium, Tokyo |
 Japan |
2–2 |
International Match |
1 (3) |
| 7 |
8 June |
Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul |
 South Korea |
2–0 |
International Match |
|
| 8 |
20 August |
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence |
 Argentina |
2–3 |
International Match |
1 (4) |
| 9 |
7 September |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
 Bolivia |
5–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
1 (5) |
| 10 |
10 September |
Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción |
 Paraguay |
1–4 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 11 |
15 November |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
 Chile |
2–1 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 12 |
19 November |
Pinheirão, Curitiba |
 Brazil |
3–3 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
2 (7) |
| 2004 |
| 13 |
18 February |
National Stadium, Kingston |
 Jamaica |
0–2 |
International Match |
|
| 14 |
31 March |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
 Venezuela |
0–3 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 15 |
1 June |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
 Peru |
1–3 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
1 (8) |
| 16 |
6 June |
Estadio Metropolitano, Barranquilla |
 Colombia |
0–5 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 17 |
7 July |
Estadio Elías Aguirre, Chiclayo |
 Mexico |
2–2 |
2004 Copa América |
|
| 18 |
10 July |
Estadio Elías Aguirre, Chiclayo |
 Ecuador |
2–1 |
2004 Copa América |
1 (9) |
| 19 |
13 July |
Estadio Miguel Grau, Piura |
Argentina |
2–4 |
2004 Copa América |
|
| 20 |
18 July |
Estadio Jorge Basadre, Tacna |
Paraguay |
3–1 |
2004 Copa América |
|
| 21 |
21 July |
Estadio Nacional, Lima |
Brazil |
1–1 |
2004 Copa América |
|
| 22 |
24 July |
Estadio Garcilaso de la Vega, Cusco |
Colombia |
2–1 |
2004 Copa América |
|
| 23 |
9 October |
El Monumental, Buenos Aires |
Argentina |
2–4 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 2005 |
| 24 |
27 March |
Estadio Nacional, Santiago |
Chile |
0–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 25 |
30 March |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Brazil |
1–1 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
1 (10) |
| 26 |
4 June |
Estadio José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo |
Venezuela |
1–1 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
1 (11) |
| 27 |
7 June |
Estadio Nacional, Lima |
Peru |
0–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 28 |
17 August |
El Molinón, Gijón |
 Spain |
0–2 |
International Match |
|
| 29 |
4 September |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Colombia |
3–2 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 30 |
8 October |
Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito |
Ecuador |
0–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 31 |
12 October |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Argentina |
1–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 32 |
12 November |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
 Australia |
1–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 2006 |
| 33 |
1 March |
Anfield, Liverpool |
 England |
1–2 |
International Match |
|
| 34 |
16 August |
Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria |
 Egypt |
2–0 |
International Match |
|
| 35 |
15 November |
Boris Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi |
 Georgia |
0–2 |
International Match |
|
| 2007 |
| 36 |
2 June |
Stadium Australia, Sydney |
Australia |
2–1 |
International Match |
1 (12) |
| 37 |
26 June |
Estadio Metropolitano de Mérida, Mérida |
Peru |
0–3 |
2007 Copa América |
|
| 38 |
30 June |
Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal |
Bolivia |
1–0 |
2007 Copa América |
|
| 39 |
3 July |
Estadio Metropolitano de Mérida, Mérida |
Venezuela |
0–0 |
2007 Copa América |
|
| 40 |
7 July |
Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal |
Venezuela |
4–1 |
2007 Copa América |
2 (14) |
| 41 |
10 July |
Estadio José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo |
Brazil |
2–2 |
2007 Copa América |
1 (15) |
| 42 |
14 July |
Estadio Olímpico, Caracas |
Mexico |
1–3 |
2007 Copa América |
|
| 43 |
13 October |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Bolivia |
5–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
1 (16) |
| 44 |
17 October |
Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción |
Paraguay |
0–1 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 2008 |
| 45 |
6 February |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Colombia |
2–2 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 46 |
28 May |
Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo |
 Norway |
2–2 |
International Match |
|
| 47 |
14 June |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Venezuela |
2–2 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 48 |
17 June |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Peru |
6–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
3 (19) |
| 49 |
6 September |
Estadio El Campín, Bogotá |
Colombia |
1–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 50 |
10 September |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Ecuador |
0–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 51 |
19 November |
Stade de France, Paris |
 France |
0–0 |
International Match |
|
| 2009 |
| 52 |
28 March |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Paraguay |
2–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
1 (20) |
| 53 |
1 April |
Estadio Nacional, Santiago |
Chile |
0–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 54 |
6 June |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Brazil |
0–4 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 55 |
10 June |
Polideportivo Cachamay, Puerto Ordaz |
Venezuela |
2–2 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
1 (21) |
| 56 |
9 September |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Colombia |
3–1 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 57 |
10 October |
Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito |
Ecuador |
2–1 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
1 (22) |
| 58 |
13 October |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Argentina |
0–1 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 59 |
14 November |
Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San José |
 Costa Rica |
1–0 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 60 |
18 November |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Costa Rica |
1–1 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 2010 |
| 61 |
3 March |
AFG Arena, St. Gallen |
 Switzerland |
3–1 |
International Match |
1 (23) |
| 62 |
26 May |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
 Israel |
4–1 |
International Match |
1 (24) |
| 63 |
11 June |
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town |
France |
0–0 |
2010 FIFA World Cup |
|
| 64 |
16 June |
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria |
 South Africa |
3–0 |
2010 FIFA World Cup |
2 (26) |
| 65 |
22 June |
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg |
Mexico |
1–0 |
2010 FIFA World Cup |
|
| 66 |
26 June |
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth |
South Korea |
2–1 |
2010 FIFA World Cup |
|
| 67 |
2 July |
Soccer City, Johannesburg |
 Ghana |
1–1 |
2010 FIFA World Cup |
1 (27) |
| 68 |
6 July |
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town |
 Netherlands |
2–3 |
2010 FIFA World Cup |
1 (28) |
| 69 |
10 July |
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth |
 Germany |
2–3 |
2010 FIFA World Cup |
1 (29) |
| 70 |
12 October |
Wuhan Sports Center Stadium, Wuhan |
China PR |
4–0 |
International Match |
|
| 71 |
17 November |
Estadio Monumental, Santiago |
Chile |
0–2 |
International Match |
|
| 2011 |
| 72 |
25 March |
A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn |
 Estonia |
0–2 |
International Match |
|
| 73 |
29 March |
Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
 Ireland |
3–2 |
International Match |
|
| 74 |
29 May |
Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim |
Germany |
1–2 |
International Match |
|
| 75 |
8 June |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Netherlands |
1–1 |
International Match |
|
| 76 |
23 June |
Estadio Atilio Paiva Olivera, Rivera |
Estonia |
3–0 |
International Match |
|
| 77 |
4 July |
Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan |
Peru |
1–1 |
2011 Copa América |
|
| 78 |
8 July |
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza |
Chile |
1–1 |
2011 Copa América |
|
| 79 |
12 July |
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata |
Mexico |
1–0 |
2011 Copa América |
|
| 80 |
16 July |
Estadio Estanislao López, Santa Fe |
Argentina |
1–1 |
2011 Copa América |
|
| 81 |
19 July |
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata |
Peru |
2–0 |
2011 Copa América |
|
| 82 |
24 July |
Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires |
Paraguay |
3–0 |
2011 Copa América |
2 (31) |
| 83 |
7 October |
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
Bolivia |
4–2 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
|
| 84 |
11 October |
Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción |
Paraguay |
1–1 |
FIFA World Cup qualification |
1 (32) |
| 2012 |
| 85 |
29 February |
Stadionul Național, Bucharest |
 Romania |
1–1 |
International Match |
|
Statistics accurate as of match played 29 February 2012[46][47]
- As of 4 March 2012[48][49]
| Uruguay national team |
| Year |
Apps |
Goals |
| 2002 |
5 |
2 |
| 2003 |
7 |
5 |
| 2004 |
11 |
2 |
| 2005 |
9 |
2 |
| 2006 |
3 |
0 |
| 2007 |
9 |
5 |
| 2008 |
7 |
3 |
| 2009 |
9 |
3 |
| 2010 |
11 |
7 |
| 2011 |
13 |
3 |
| 2012 |
1 |
0 |
| Total |
85 |
32 |
Statistics accurate as of match played 29 February 2012[51][52]
- Manchester United
- Villarreal
- Atlético Madrid
- Uruguay
(* Jointly shared with Thierry Henry)
A founding member of Fundación Alejandra Forlán, headed by his sister, Forlán is outspoken on the perils of dangerous driving. Back in 1991, Alejandra suffered a car accident where she lost her boyfriend and became paralyzed as a result. Diego Maradona met Forlán's father during that time, since he was a soccer player in the 1970s, and helped him raise funds for his daughter’s treatment. She became an integral part of his inspiration to play football, and the whole family has gathered round to make sure the foundation is given as high a profile as his in Uruguay.[53]
In 2009, Forlán appeared in a music video for Coti starring alongside Maxi Rodríguez.[54] On July 2010, Forlán had his match-winning antics at the FIFA World Cup 2010 immortalised in the style of the Japanese series Captain Tsubasa. The celebratory song was made by the faceless band The Golden Vuvuzelas with music from the Super Robot anime series Mazinger Z.[55]
Forlán announced on 9 March 2011 on his official Twitter page that he and Argentinian model/actress Zaira Nara were engaged to be married.[56] However, in June 2011, Forlán and Nara announced they were breaking their engagement. No reason was released for the breakup.[57]
- ^ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/18587/diego-mart%C3%ADn-forl%C3%A1n?cc=5901
- ^ Ben Lyttleton: In Suarez's absence Uruguay will lean even more heavily on Forlan at Sports Illustrated, 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Uruguay's Forlán Wins Golden Ball". The New York Times. 12 July 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/sports/soccer/12cupawards.html.
- ^ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=29892&season_id=141
- ^ http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-357064-united-seal-69m-forlan-deal.do
- ^ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=29892&season_id=131
- ^ "Forlan finish boosts Man Utd". BBC News. 2 November 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2373309.stm.
- ^ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=29892&season_id=132
- ^ http://free-elements.com/England/Goals/ManU/ManU2002.html
- ^ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=29892&season_id=133
- ^ "Man Utd win FA Cup". BBC News. 22 May 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3725063.stm.
- ^ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=29892&season_id=134
- ^ "Forlán dona su camiseta al Museo del Athletic". Canal Athletic. 13 September 2010. http://www.canalathletic.com/noticias/2010-09-13/forlan-dona-camiseta-museo-201009131102.html.
- ^ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=29892&season_id=134
- ^ "Forlán accepts Atlético offer". UEFA.com. 30 June 2007. http://www.uefa.com/competitions/intertotocup/news/kind=1/newsid=556914.html.
- ^ "Atlético de Madrid confirm return to Europe's elite". soccerway.com. 12 May 2008. http://www.soccerway.com/news/2008/May/12/atletico-de-madrid-confirm-return-to-europes-elite.
- ^ "Atlético Madrid 3-2 Espanyol". soccernet.espn.go.com. 9 May 2009. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=253097&cc=5739.
- ^ "Forlán claims Golden Shoe and Pichichi awards". UEFA.com. 1 June 2009. http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=835149.html.
- ^ "Atlético Madrid fans stage protest following Real Mallorca draw". Goal.com. 24 October 2009. http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/10/25/1582906/atletico-madrid-fans-stage-protest-following-real-mallorca.
- ^ "Diego Forlán Left Out Of Atlético Madrid Squad To Face Marbella". Goal.com. 26 October 2009. http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/10/26/1585322/diego-forlan-left-out-of-atletico-madrid-squad-to-face.
- ^ "Barcelona suffer first La Liga defeat". The Independent (London). 15 February 2010. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/barcelona-suffer-first-la-liga-defeat-1900087.html. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ^ Ornstein, David (29 April 2010). "Liverpool 2–1 Atlético Madrid (agg 2–2)". BBC Sport (BBC). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8649664.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (12 May 2010). "Atlético Madrid 2–1 Fulham". BBC Sport (BBC). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8675486.stm. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
- ^ "Atlético stun Inter in Super Cup". BBC Sport (BBC). 27 August 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8951467.stm. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
- ^ "Forlan finds form in Atlético win". Yahoo. 13 November 2010. http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/13112010/58/la-liga-forlan-finds-form-atletico-win.html. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
- ^ "Real Madrid fail in bid to sign United flop Diego Forlan from city rivals Atletico". Daily Mail (London). 29 January 2011. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1351586/Real-Madrid-fail-bid-sign-United-flop-Diego-Forlan-city-rivals-Atletico.html?ito=feeds-newsxml.
- ^ Forlan: "I'm here and I want to score goals"
- ^ "Palermo 4 - 3 Internazionale". ESPN Soccernet. 11 September 2011. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=327188&cc=5739. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ "Internazionale 2-2 Catania". ESPN Soccernet. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=326948&cc=5901.
- ^ "Diego Forlan Corazo – International Appearances". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/forlan-intl.html. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ^ "2002 Matches – Intercontinental (January – March)". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/2002ic1.html. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ^ "Senegal cling on to qualify". BBC Sport. 11 June 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/senegal_v_uruguay/default.stm. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ^ "Senegal cling on to qualify". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Company). 11 June 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/senegal_v_uruguay/default.stm. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
- ^ "Copa America: Brazil eliminates Uruguay on penalties". International Herald Tribune. 29 March 2009. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/11/sports/LA-SPT-SOC-Brazil-Uruguay.php. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
- ^ "Uruguay 6-0 Peru". ESPN Soccernet (ESPN). 17 May 2008. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=230019&cc=5739. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
- ^ http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=37776&L=en
- ^ The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation, ed. "Héctor Scarone - Goals in International Matches". http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/scarone-intlg.html. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
- ^ "South Africa 0-3 Uruguay". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Company). 16 June 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_179. Retrieved 16 June 2010. [dead link]
- ^ "Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (aet)". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Company). 2 July 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_58. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ^ "Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Company). 6 July 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_61. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
- ^ "Happy Holland edge Uruguay 3-2 to reach their third World Cup Final". www.sportsfeatures.com (Sports Features). 6 July 2010. http://www.sportsfeatures.com/soccernews/story/47129/holland-explode-into-3-1-lead-to-close-in-on-third-world-cup-final. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
- ^ "Goal of the tournament. FIFA Worldcup 2010.". http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/goalofthetournament/video/video=1272480/index.html.
- ^ "Uruguay 2-3 Germany". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Company). 10 July 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_63. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/futbol/copa-mundial/blog?entryID=1059182&name=Sudafreaka_2010
- ^ Damian Perez. "Forlan follows in family footsteps with Copa America win". (Reuters) Yahoo.Sports. http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/9905446/forlan-follows-in-family-footsteps-with-copa-america-win/1/desc/. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- ^ "Forlán, Diego". National-Football-Teams.com. http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=7205.
- ^ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/18587/diego-mart%C3%ADn-forl%C3%A1n?cc=4716
- ^ Endlar, Andrew. "Diego Forlan". StretfordEnd.co.uk. http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/forlan.html.
- ^ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/18587/diego-mart%C3%ADn-forl%C3%A1n?cc=4716
- ^ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
- ^ "Forlán, Diego". National-Football-Teams.com. http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=7205.
- ^ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/18587/diego-mart%C3%ADn-forl%C3%A1n?cc=4716
- ^ Forlan ushers Uruguay into new era, June 19, 2010 sportsillustrated.cnn.com, Retrieved July 2, 2010
- ^ "Coti – Nunca Tendré – Maxi Rodriguez y Forlán". Mazcue.com.ar. http://www.mazcue.com.ar/coti-nunca-tendre-maxi-rodriguez-forlan/. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
- ^ "World Cup hero Diego Forlán turned into cartoon". Inside World Soccer. 17 July 2010. http://www.insideworldsoccer.com/2010/07/world-cup-hero-diego-forlan-turned-into.html. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ Sport (31 May 2010). "Die "Champions League" der Spielerfrauen". Sport.de.msn.com. http://sport.de.msn.com/fussball/bilder.aspx?cp-documentid=150457006. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
- ^ Greig Box-Turnbull (18 June 2011). "Diego Forlan's wedding to underwear model is called off". Daily Mirror. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/06/18/diego-forlan-s-wedding-to-underwear-model-is-called-off-115875-23208623/. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
Internazionale Milano move - http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/949710/atletico-madrid-striker-diego-forlan-on-verge-of-inter-milan-move?cc=5901
|
Awards
|
|
|
|
|
| Best Player |
|
|
| Golden Ball |
|
|
Golden Ball was first awarded in 1982. |
|
|
|
| Persondata |
| Name |
Forlán, Diego |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
Footballer |
| Date of birth |
19 May 1979 |
| Place of birth |
Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
lez:Форлан, Диего
