Diego Forlán#Tennis career, first professional ATP tournament

Forlán was born on 19 May 1979 and raised in the neighborhood of Carrasco in the capital city of Montevideo. His family — which included three brothers, a sister, four cousins, his maternal grandmother and her sister — resided in an apartment building on Potosi street, a short distance from the Hotel Carrasco and the Rambla.{{cite journal |last1=Naón |first1=Ignacio |title=Diego Forlán |journal=Old Boys Magazine |date=2022 |issue=10 |url=https://oldboysmagazine.com/ |access-date=2 December 2022 |language=es}} He is the son of former player and Uruguayan international Pablo Forlán and the grandson of Juan Carlos Corazzo through his mother, Pilar Corazo.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/diego-forlan-18722/ |title=Diego Forlan |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=5 May 2020}}

Forlán attended multiple schools in the private and state sector. He started at the Liceo Francés Jules Supervielle in Buceo, but later transferred to the Erwy School because it was closer to his home. This was followed by Scuola Italiana di Montevideo and then Liceo 15 in Carrasco. He learned English at school from a young age.{{cite web |title=Forlan answers your questions |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/newsid_3300000/3300507.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 March 2022 |date=8 December 2003}} As a child, Forlán played tennis at the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club, in addition to football, which often took place on the streets.

{{Quote

|quote = Carrasco was something completely different from what it is today, nobody worried about security, there were almost no cars, we played a lot in the street, on the street, tennis, football, whatever you could think of.

|source = Diego Forlán, Old Boys Magazine, 2022}}

On 14 September 1991, Forlán's sister Alejandra was seriously injured and eventually left handicapped by a car accident that also killed her boyfriend. The cost of the medical bills plunged his family into financial crisis, though this was later averted due to the fundraising efforts of Diego Maradona. Until this point Forlán was also dedicated to tennis, but ultimately focussed more on football, like his father and grandfather, in the hope that he might contribute to paying for his sister's treatment.{{cite web |last1=Hyde |first1=Ben |title=The fluffs, jokes and cult hero status of Diego Forlan at Manchester United |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2019/11/08/the-fluffs-jokes-and-cult-hero-status-of-diego-forlan-at-manchester-united/ |website=These Football Times |access-date=5 December 2022 |date=8 November 2019}}

Forlán was a boyhood fan of Peñarol and played youth football for both Peñarol and Danubio In 1995, a 16-year-old Forlán moved to France, where he spent four months on trial at Nancy, but was ultimately not offered a contract by manager László Bölöni.

Forlán received an offer to join Argentine side Independiente through the help of one of his father's contacts, José Omar Pastoriza. He soon accepted, rejecting a simultaneous offer from Boca Juniors. Arriving in Argentina on 28 January 1998, Forlán made his way up the Independiente reserve teams and thanks to strong performances, started training with the first team. Injuries to several forward players who were ahead of him in the pecking order created an opportunity for the young Uruguayan, who made his professional debut on 26 October 1998 in a match against Argentinos Juniors.

Forlán scored 37 goals in 80 league games.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/101582-under-the-shadow-ofdiego-forlan|title=Under the Shadow of...Diego Forlan!|website=Bleacher Report|first=Salaar|last=Shamsi|date=3 January 2009|access-date=7 August 2019}} His goalscoring attracted the attention of European sides, and in January 2002, Independiente agreed a £6.9 million deal with Middlesbrough of the Premier League; the transfer fee would be paid over 18 installments. Forlán travelled to England expecting to negotiate with Middlesbrough, but at the last minute Manchester United gazumped the Teesside club, offering Independiente the same fee in a single payment, as well as a more lucrative salary for Forlán. On arriving in England, he negotiated with United officials for four hours, then informed the press of his decision. "Manchester United is a big club, so I've decided to go there," he explained. "The thing is, they offered more money than Middlesbrough."{{cite news|title=Forlan lured by United's deep pool of reserves|first=William|last=Johnson|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2428816/Forlan-lured-by-Uniteds-deep-pool-of-reserves.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2428816/Forlan-lured-by-Uniteds-deep-pool-of-reserves.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=18 January 2002|access-date=1 September 2012}}{{cbignore}} He signed for United soon after.{{cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-357064-united-seal-69m-forlan-deal.do |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915062643/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-357064-united-seal-69m-forlan-deal.do |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 September 2012 |title=United seal £6.9m Forlan deal – Sport – London Evening Standard |work=Evening Standard|location=London |date=22 January 2002 }}

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 made 13 Premier League and five UEFA Champions League appearances in the 2001–02 season but did not score.{{Soccerbase season|29892|2001}}

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 kick 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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2373309.stm |website=BBC Sport |title=Forlan finish boosts Man Utd |date=2 November 2002 }} The goal also became notable due to his goal celebration where he ripped off his jersey, but then struggled to put it back on as the game recommenced, with Forlán making a blocked tackle while shirtless.{{cite news |title=Football goal celebrations: best and worst |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/6250946/Football-goal-celebrations-best-and-worst.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/6250946/Football-goal-celebrations-best-and-worst.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2018 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}{{cbignore}}

On 1 December, Forlán scored his first brace for Manchester United with goals in the 64th and 67th minute of an away 2–1 Premier League win at rivals Liverpool.{{Soccerbase season|29892|2002}} On 17 December 2002, Forlán scored the winning goal as United defeated Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Football League Cup. On 18 January 2003, Forlán scored a 90th-minute winning goal to again defeat Chelsea, this time in a Premier League match.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2648643.stm|title=Forlan stuns Chelsea|date=18 January 2003|access-date=8 August 2013|publisher=BBC}} Manchester United went on to win 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.{{cite web |url=http://free-elements.com/England/Goals/ManU/ManU2002.html |title=Manchester United 2002–2003 |publisher=Free-elements.com }}

At the start of the 2003–04 season, Forlán played seven Premier League games without scoring. 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 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 League 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 sixth-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.{{Soccerbase season|29892|2003}} 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.{{cite news |title=Man Utd win FA Cup |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3725063.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2004 }}

He started the 2004–05 season with Manchester United and played in a Champions League qualifier against Dinamo București and a 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.{{Soccerbase season|29892|2004}}

United supporters would continue to sing Forlán's name in tribute to the two goals he scored against Liverpool for several years after Forlán's departure from the club, with the chant "He came from Uruguay, he made the scousers cry". Forlán spoke of this fondly in 2010.{{cite news |title=Forlan still sweet on Man United support |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/forlan-still-sweet-man-united-support |work=FourFourTwo |date=22 September 2010 |access-date=27 September 2014 }}

Forlán was strongly linked with a move to Spanish clubs Levante and Athletic Bilbao, but on 21 August 2004, he signed with Villarreal.

Forlán's debut for Villarreal was on 30 August 2004, starting away to rivals Valencia and scoring 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 Mallorca and the final goal of a 4–0 win at home to Numancia. Between 12 December 2004 and 16 January 2005, Forlán scored seven goals in five Primera División matches, including a brace in a 3–0 home victory over 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 against eventual league champions Barcelona. A week later, he scored two in a 4–1 victory over local rivals Levante as Villarreal ended the season in third, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history. 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.{{cite news|title=Henry and Forlan win Golden Shoe|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4593173.stm|access-date=22 March 2014|website=BBC Sport|date=30 May 2005}}

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.

File:Diego Forlán in Moscow.jpg in 2007]]

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.{{cite web |title=Forlán accepts Atlético offer |url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/intertotocup/news/kind=1/newsid=556914.html |publisher=UEFA |date=30 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606162424/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/intertotocup/news/kind%3D1/newsid%3D556914.html |archive-date=6 June 2009}} 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 de La Coruña.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/news/2008/May/12/atletico-de-madrid-confirm-return-to-europes-elite|title=Atlético de Madrid confirm return to Europe's elite|date=12 May 2008|publisher=soccerway.com}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=253097&cc=5739|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025224650/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=253097&cc=5739|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 October 2012|title=Atlético Madrid 3–2 Espanyol|date=9 May 2009|website=ESPN FC}} 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, as well as the European Golden Boot for a second time.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=835149.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607234711/http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=835149.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 June 2009|title=Forlán claims Golden Shoe and Pichichi awards|date=1 June 2009|publisher=UEFA}} He ended the 2008–09 season with a very impressive 32 goals in 33 matches.

File:Diego Forlán (Atlético Madrid).jpg

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,{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/10/25/1582906/atletico-madrid-fans-stage-protest-following-real-mallorca|title=Atlético Madrid fans stage protest following Real Mallorca draw|date=24 October 2009|website=Goal.com}} as well as criticism for Forlán, who was subsequently left out of the squad for the next game.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/10/26/1585322/diego-forlan-left-out-of-atletico-madrid-squad-to-face|title=Diego Forlán Left Out of Atlético Madrid Squad To Face Marbella|date=26 October 2009|website=Goal.com}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/barcelona-suffer-first-la-liga-defeat-1900087.html|title=Barcelona suffer first La Liga defeat|newspaper=The Independent|date=15 February 2010|access-date=24 January 2011|location=London}} 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, Hamburg, on 12 May.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8649664.stm|title=Liverpool 2–1 Atlético Madrid (agg 2–2)|date=29 April 2010|website=BBC Sport|first=David|last=Ornstein|access-date=1 May 2010}} Forlán scored twice against Fulham in the final, in a 2–1 win and was awarded man of the match.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8675486.stm|title=Atlético Madrid 2–1 Fulham|date=12 May 2010|website=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|access-date=13 May 2010}} 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 Inter Milan 2–0 in Monaco on 27 August 2010.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8951467.stm|title=Atlético stun Inter in Super Cup|date=27 August 2010|website=BBC Sport|access-date=13 November 2010}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/13112010/58/la-liga-forlan-finds-form-atletico-win.html|title=Forlan finds form in Atlético win|date=13 November 2010|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=13 November 2010}}

On 29 August 2011, it was confirmed that Forlán had joined Inter Milan as a replacement for the departing Samuel Eto'o.{{cite web |url=http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=37311&L=en |title=Forlan: "I'm here and I want to score goals" |publisher=Inter.it |date=29 August 2011 |access-date=30 August 2011 |archive-date=13 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013014834/http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=37311&L=en |url-status=dead }} No financial details were announced but it is believed the 32-year-old signed an initial two-year deal.{{cite web |url=http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/08/29/diego-forlan-joins-inter-milan-uruguayan-leaves-atletico-madrid-for-san-siro/ |title=Diego Forlan Joins Inter Milan: Uruguayan Leaves Atletico Madrid for San Siro |publisher=CaughtOffside |date=29 August 2011 |access-date=6 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414085053/http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/08/29/diego-forlan-joins-inter-milan-uruguayan-leaves-atletico-madrid-for-san-siro/ |archive-date=14 April 2012 |url-status=dead }} He made his debut on 11 September 2011, scoring with a high left foot shot in a 4–3 defeat at Sicilian club Palermo.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=327188&cc=5739|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716090106/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=327188&cc=5739|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 July 2012|title=Palermo 4 – 3 Internazionale|date=11 September 2011|website=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=2 November 2011}} On 4 March 2012, Forlán scored his second goal for Inter against Catania in a 2–2 draw.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=326948&cc=5901|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722143359/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=326948&cc=5901|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 July 2012|title=Internazionale 2–2 Catania|website=ESPN Soccernet}} In April, Forlán declared his loyalty to Inter and his intention to stay when he told Sky Sports: "I want to stay at Inter. You haven't seen the real Forlán yet... I wouldn't want to leave Inter like this. I like challenges and I wouldn't want to leave when the team are not in a good position."{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1614964.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720063217/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1614964.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 July 2012 |title=Forlan determined to prove a fit at Inter |publisher=FIFA |date=13 April 2012}} In June, his father confirmed the belief that the striker would see out his contract with the Nerazzurri.{{cite web|last=Kotsev |first=Vasil |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2012/06/16/3179087/forlan-will-remain-at-inter-reveals-father |title=Forlan's father rules out imminent transfer away from Inter for his son |website=Goal.com |date=16 June 2012}} On 5 July, however, after only scoring twice in 22 appearances, the Italian club confirmed that he had been released, terminating the final year of his contract.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1122618/inter-milan-set-to-cancel-diego-forlan%27s-contract?campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=5901 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103012440/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1122618/inter-milan-set-to-cancel-diego-forlan's-contract?campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |title=Inter Milan set to cancel Diego Forlan's contract |website=ESPN FC |date=4 July 2012 }} Forlán has stated that his poor performance with the Nerazzuri was due to being played out of position. In addition, former Inter and Uruguay player Álvaro Recoba believed that his compatriot struggled at Inter due to the success of his predecessor Samuel Eto'o, which led Forlán to fail to live up to expectations.

File:ForlanInter2013.jpg in 2013]]

On 6 July 2012, after terminating his contract with Inter, Forlán signed a three-year deal with Brazilian club Internacional.{{cite web |url=http://www.internacional.com.br/pagina.php?modulo=2&setor=18&codigo=18007 |title=Diego Forlán é do Internacional |language=pt |date=6 July 2012 |access-date=6 July 2012 |archive-date=10 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610174102/http://www.internacional.com.br/pagina.php?modulo=2&setor=18&codigo=18007 |url-status=dead }} He was also linked to Mexican teams Tigres UANL and Club América.{{cite web|url=http://www.record.com.mx/article/forlan-quiere-jugar-en-america-ok |title=Forlán quiere jugar en América |date=19 May 2012 |access-date=6 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626005039/http://www.record.com.mx/article/forlan-quiere-jugar-en-america-ok |archive-date=26 June 2012 }} In January 2013, Forlán was linked with another Mexican team, the recently promoted Club León. At León, Forlán had the chance to play the 2013 Copa Libertadores; Internacional, however, retained Forlán's services for the 2013 season.{{cite news|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/news/story?id=1669762&s=mex&type=story|title=León sueña con el uruguayo Diego Forlán|newspaper=Espndeportes.com |date=29 November 2012 |access-date=6 May 2013}}

On 28 July 2012, he made his debut for the Brazilian club against Vasco da Gama. Forlán scored his first two goals for Internacional in a 4–1 win against Flamengo.{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/article3678365.ece |title=Diego Forlan set for Internacional debut |date=24 July 2012 |location=Chennai |work=The Hindu }} Forlán also helped the club win 2013 Campeonato Gaúcho, scoring nine goals, the highest total at the tournament.{{fact|date=November 2022}}

On 22 January 2014, Forlán signed an 18-month deal with Japanese J1 League side Cerezo Osaka.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/diego-forlan-joins-japanese-club-cerezo-osaka|title=Diego Forlan joins Japanese club Cerezo Osaka|date=22 January 2014 |access-date=22 January 2014}} He made his AFC Champions League debut in a 1–1 draw with Pohang Steelers, and his J. League debut in a 1–0 loss against defending champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima. He scored his first goal for Cerezo in a 4–0 win over Buriram United in an AFC Champions League match. On 12 April, Forlán scored two goals in the Osaka derby against local club rivals Gamba Osaka. He scored a crucial goal against Shandong Luneng on 23 April to put his team through to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League. Cerezo Osaka were knocked out in the first round by Guangzhou Evergrande, losing 5–1 at home in the first leg.{{cite web|url=http://www.nipponnews.net/en/sports/afc-champions-league-2014-cerezo-osaka-1-5-guangzhou-evergrande|title=AFC Champions League 2014 – Cerezo Osaka 1–5 Guangzhou Evergrande|date=7 May 2014 |access-date=24 December 2014}} In spite of the disappointing home defeat, they managed to secure a 1–0 away win after an own goal by Liao Lisheng. However, this was not enough to overcome the 5–2 aggregate lead.

Having been relegated in his first season to J2 League, he started off the new campaign with a goal against Tokyo Verdy drawing 1–1. Forlán scored his first hat-trick against Kyoto Sanga on 29 April 2015, his side winning 3–0.

On 10 July 2015, Forlán signed an 18-month contract with his boyhood club Peñarol.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/2518770/diego-forlan-returns-to-boyhood-club-penarol-in-uruguay|title=Diego Forlan returns to boyhood club Penarol in Uruguay|date=10 July 2014|access-date=10 July 2014}} In his only season at the club, he scored eight goals in 31 appearances as Peñarol won the championship title. On 14 June 2016 at a press conference, Forlán said he would be leaving the club.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

In August 2016, Forlán signed a three-month deal with Indian Super League club Mumbai City.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/17/diego-forlan-mumbai-manchester-united-uruguay-hope|title=Diego Forlán has joined a new club aged 37, giving more hope to late bloomers|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Euan|last=McTear|date=17 August 2016|access-date=30 January 2017}} He scored a hat-trick against Kerala Blasters in their 5–0 win on 19 November.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiansuperleague.com/matchcentre/11811-mumbai-city-fc-vs-kerala-blasters-fc|title=Mumbai City 5–0 Kerala Blasters|date=19 November 2016|publisher=Indian Super League|access-date=19 November 2016}}

Mumbai finished first in the league table and progressed to the semi-final of the playoffs where they would face ATK.{{Cite news|url=https://www.india.com/sports/isl-2016-points-table-team-standings-match-results-mumbai-city-fc-finish-at-the-top-of-the-table-1532455/|title=ISL 2016 Points Table|website=India.com Sports|date=4 December 2016|access-date=21 November 2018}} After conceding an early goal, Mumbai equalised and soon took the lead from the headers of Leo Costa and Gerson Vieira. In both cases the free kicks were taken by Forlán. Forlán received a red card in the second half as ATK won the match 3–2.{{Cite news|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/diego-forlan-red-card-iain-153258328.html|title=Diego Forlan red card, Iain Hume goals: Watch ATK light up ISL 2016 semi final|access-date=21 November 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/live-football-score/atletico-de-kolkata-vs-mumbai-city-isl-2016-17-1|title=ATK 3–2 Mumbai City|website=Sportskeeda|access-date=21 November 2018}}

File:Diego Forlán 28 jan 2018.jpg in 2018]]

On 4 January 2018, Forlán joined Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee.{{cite web|url=http://kitchee.com/news.php?id=602|script-title=zh:傑志落實科蘭加盟|publisher=Kitchee SC|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018|language=zh-hk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132506/http://kitchee.com/news.php?id=602|archive-date=4 January 2018|url-status=dead}} He made his debut for Kitchee on 14 January 2018, coming off the bench in the 88th minute in a 2–2 draw against Southern.{{cite news|url=http://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2128212/diego-forlan-kicks-kitchee-career-three-minute-cameo-thrilling-draw|title=Diego Forlan kicks off Kitchee career with three-minute cameo in thrilling draw against Southern in Hong Kong Premier League|author=Chan Kin-wa|date=14 January 2018|newspaper=South China Morning Post|access-date=14 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.futbol.com.uy/Deportes/Hong-Kong-Diego-Forlan-debuto-en-el-Kitchee-que-igualo-2-2-con-Southern-District-uc672231|title=Hong Kong: Diego Forlán debutó en el Kitchee que igualó 2–2 con Southern District|publisher=FútbolUy|date=14 January 2018|access-date=14 January 2018|language=es}} On 28 January, Forlán scored his first and second goals for Kitchee in a 7–0 victory over Biu Chun Rangers.{{cite web|url=https://www.hkfa.com/news_details2/15584|title=2017–18 BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League – Kitchee 7:0 BC Rangers|date=28 January 2018|publisher=Hong Kong Football Association|access-date=28 January 2018}} He scored a hat-trick in a 5–1 win against Lee Man in the following match.{{Cite news|url=http://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2131868/hat-trick-hero-diego-forlan-keeps-keep-his-personal-goal-season|title=Hat-trick hero Diego Forlan keeps up his personal goal of the season campaign with two more trademark free kicks for Kitchee|date=3 February 2018|newspaper=South China Morning Post|access-date=22 April 2018}} Forlán played in Kitchee's 1–0 victory over Kashiwa Reysol in the 2018 AFC Champions League, helping Kitchee to become the first-ever team from Hong Kong to win a match in AFC Champions League history.{{Cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2145291/diego-forlan-leaves-his-legacy-kitchee-final-hong-kong-premier|title=Diego Forlan leaves his legacy at Kitchee as final Hong Kong Premier League game looms|date=9 May 2018|newspaper=South China Morning Post|access-date=15 July 2022}} On 13 May 2018, Forlán played his final match with the club, featuring in the first 56 minutes of a 2–0 victory, and went on to win the Hong Kong Premier League that season.{{cite web|last1=Alladin|first1=Unas|last2=Chan|first2=Kin-wa|title=Goodbye Diego Forlan, you were something special: Fans turn out in force for Uruguayan's last game for Kitchee|url=http://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2145927/goodbye-forlan-you-were-something-special-fans-turn-out-force|newspaper=South China Morning Post|date=13 May 2018 |access-date=13 May 2018}}

A year after leaving Kitchee, Forlán announced his retirement from professional football on 7 August 2019.{{cite news |title=Diego Forlan: Former Man Utd & Atletico Madrid striker retires |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49261683 |website=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2019 |access-date=7 August 2019 }}

File:Diego Forlán.jpg at the 2007 Copa América]]

Forlán's 100th cap came in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup match against Nigeria. On 11 October 2011, he scored his 32nd goal, which made 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=37776&L=en |title=Internationals: Forlan, record and disappointment |publisher=inter.it |date=12 October 2011 |access-date=12 October 2011 |archive-date=19 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119061117/http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=37776&L=en |url-status=dead }} (Scarone scored 42 goals in total, but 11 of them were in unofficial matches).{{cite web|title=Héctor Scarone – Goals in International matches|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/scarone-intlg.html|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|access-date=7 March 2012}}

Forlán debuted for the Uruguayan senior squad on 27 March 2002, scoring his first goal in a 3–2 friendly defeat against Saudi Arabia.{{Cite news|title=Diego Forlán, a un paso de batir varios récords con Uruguay|url=https://www.elmundo.es/america/2011/07/11/deportes/1310409956.html|website=El Mundo|date=11 July 2011|access-date=11 September 2024|language=es}} During the 2002 World Cup, he scored a volley on 11 June in the group stage 3–3 draw against Senegal.{{Cite news|title=Senegal cling on to qualify |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/senegal_v_uruguay/default.stm|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=11 June 2002|access-date=24 January 2011 }} Despite coming from three goals down to draw the game, Uruguay were eliminated from the tournament along with France in Group A.{{Cite news|title=Senegal cling on to qualify|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/senegal_v_uruguay/default.stm|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=11 June 2002|access-date=16 June 2010}} Forlán scored against Brazil in the 35th minute of the 2007 Copa América semi-final, but missed his shot during the subsequent penalty shoot-out, which Brazil eventually won 5–4.{{Cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/11/sports/LA-SPT-SOC-Brazil-Uruguay.php |title=Copa America: Brazil eliminates Uruguay on penalties|newspaper=International Herald Tribune |date=29 March 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202125804/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/11/sports/LA-SPT-SOC-Brazil-Uruguay.php |archive-date=2 December 2008 }}

{{main|2010 FIFA World Cup}}

File:Suárez Forlan (cropped).jpg at the 2010 FIFA World Cup]]

On 17 June 2008, Forlán scored a hat-trick in a World Cup qualifying game against Peru.{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=230019&cc=5739 |title=Uruguay 6–0 Peru |date=17 May 2008 |website=ESPN Soccernet |publisher=ESPN |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025224702/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=230019&cc=5739 |url-status=dead }}

On 16 June 2010, during Uruguay's second group game in the 2010 World Cup against South Africa, Forlán opened the scoring with a right footed long range effort. Later in the game, Forlán scored from the penalty spot, shooting high into the net for his second and also had a hand in Uruguay's third, in a 3–0 win over the host nation.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_179 |title=South Africa 0–3 Uruguay |date=16 June 2010 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=16 June 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_58 |title=Uruguay 1–1 Ghana (aet) |date=2 July 2010 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 July 2010}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_61 |title=Uruguay 2–3 Netherlands |date=6 July 2010 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2010}} Forlán became the first player since Lothar Matthäus in 1990 to score three goals from outside the penalty area in one tournament.{{cite news|url=http://www.sportsfeatures.com/soccernews/story/47129/holland-explode-into-3-1-lead-to-close-in-on-third-world-cup-final |title=Happy Holland edge Uruguay 3–2 to reach their third World Cup Final |date=6 July 2010 |publisher=sportsfeatures.com |access-date=6 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716122532/http://www.sportsfeatures.com/soccernews/story/47129/holland-explode-into-3-1-lead-to-close-in-on-third-world-cup-final |archive-date=16 July 2011 }} 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 Egidio Arévalo Ríos, was selected by FIFA as the Goal of the Tournament.{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/goalofthetournament/video/video=1272480/index.html |title=Goal of the tournament. FIFA Worldcup 2010. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021131552/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/goalofthetournament/video/video%3D1272480/index.html |archive-date=21 October 2013}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_63 |title=Uruguay 2–3 Germany |date=10 July 2010 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=10 July 2010}} 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 joint top scorer at the World Cup with five goals.{{cite web|first=Damian|last=Didonato |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/copa-mundial/blog?entryID=1059182&name=Sudafreaka_2010 |title=Blog de Sudafreaka 2010 – ESPN Deportes |date=12 July 2010 |publisher=ESPN }}

{{main|2011 Copa América}}

File:Diego Forlan - 2011 CA final.jpg]]

On 24 July 2011, Forlán scored twice after Luis Suárez's opening goal helping Uruguay win their 15th Copa América title and became Uruguay's joint top scorer at international level, his 31 goals matching those of Héctor 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.{{cite news|url=http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/9905446/forlan-follows-in-family-footsteps-with-copa-america-win/1/desc/|first=Damian|last=Perez|title=Forlan follows in family footsteps with Copa America win|publisher=(Reuters) Yahoo.Sports|access-date=25 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006055216/http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/9905446/forlan-follows-in-family-footsteps-with-copa-america-win/1/desc/|archive-date=6 October 2011}}

{{main|2013 FIFA Confederations Cup}}

On 16 June 2013, Forlán appeared as a 69th-minute substitute in Uruguay's opening 2013 Confederations Cup match against Spain. In Uruguay's second group game, a match where he won his 100th cap for his country, Forlán scored the winning goal to defeat Nigeria 2–1. He was subsequently rested for the next match against Tahiti. He was again in the starting line-up as Uruguay lost 1–2 to Brazil in the semi-final, where he had a penalty kick saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Júlio César.

Forlán was a part of the Uruguay squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. At the age of 35, he started the opening match against group underdogs Costa Rica in place of the absent Luis Suárez. He had a deflected shot saved by Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas as Uruguay lost the game 3–1. Forlán did not appear again until the Round of 16, where Uruguay were beaten 2–0 by Colombia.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27952760 |title=Colombia 2–0 Uruguay |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=28 June 2014 |access-date=15 July 2018}}

On 11 March 2015, Forlán announced his retirement from the national team. He represented Uruguay with 112 caps, scoring 36 times.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/diego-forlan-announces-international-retirement|title=Forlan announces international retirement|date=11 March 2015|access-date=12 March 2015|magazine=FourFourTwo}}

A talented, technically gifted, hardworking and creative player, with an eye for goal, Forlán was a quick, clever, complete and versatile forward, with a good positional sense, who was capable of playing anywhere along the front line.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/players/player=189259/profile.html|title=2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Profile: Uruguay, 10 – Diego FORLAN|publisher=FIFA|access-date=3 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116182936/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/players/player%3D189259/profile.html|archive-date=16 January 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/mondiali/2014/gruppo-d/uruguay/diego-martin-corazo-forlan.shtml|title=Scheda Giocatore: Diego FORLAN|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|access-date=30 January 2017}} He was deployed as a main striker (his favoured position), as a supporting forward, as an attacking midfielder, and even as a winger, often drifting onto the flank to begin attacking plays.{{cite web|url=http://www.fcinter1908.it/dal-ritiro-nerazzurro/forlan-quando-a-manchester-scrivevano-c-ero-quando-ha-segnato-un-gol-31426|title=Forlan, quando a Manchester scrivevano: "C'ero quando ha segnato un gol"|publisher=F.C. Inter 1908|language=it|access-date=3 December 2014|archive-date=16 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116173442/http://www.fcinter1908.it/dal-ritiro-nerazzurro/forlan-quando-a-manchester-scrivevano-c-ero-quando-ha-segnato-un-gol-31426|url-status=dead}} He was capable of scoring with either foot,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/may/11/sid-lowe-diego-forlan-atletico-madrid|title='Superman' Forlán saves Atlético with another single-handed rescue act|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Sid|last=Lowe|date=11 May 2009|access-date=30 January 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1135881-world-footballs-15-best-two-footed-players-right-now/page/3|title=World Football's 15 Best Two-Footed Players Right Now|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=3 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2010/m=4/news=two-for-the-price-one-1194749.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716130953/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2010/m=4/news=two-for-the-price-one-1194749.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 July 2015|title=Two for the price of one|publisher=FIFA|date=16 April 2010|access-date=30 January 2017}} both from inside and outside the area; in fact, Forlán was most known for his powerful and accurate long range shots, which made him a large threat if given space outside the box.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/226/690/0/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141203203325/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/226/690/0/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2014|title=Forlan joins Cerezo amid sizeable hype|publisher=FIFA|access-date=3 December 2014}} Alongside this, Forlán was also an accurate set-piece and penalty kick taker.{{cite web|url=http://www.givemesport.com/450385-atletico-madrid-the-forward-factory|title=Atletico Madrid: The forward factory|website=givemesport.com|access-date=3 December 2014|archive-date=16 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116192457/http://www.givemesport.com/450385-atletico-madrid-the-forward-factory|url-status=dead}} In addition to his accurate finishing, movement, and goalscoring ability, Forlán was a skilful player, gifted with good technical ability and ball control, as well as good vision, passing ability, intelligence, and awareness on the ball; these attributes also enabled him to be deployed in a more creative role, in which he could play-off of other players and drop into deeper positions to link-up the midfield with the attack, making him a capable assist provider.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2010/07/urguays_madman_with_the_icecoo.html|title=Uruguay's madman with the ice-cool finish|website=BBC Sport|first=Paul|last=Fletcher|date=5 July 2010|access-date=30 January 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ilpost.it/2014/06/13/uruguay-mondiali/|title=L'Uruguay ai Mondiali|work=Il Post|language=it|date=13 June 2014|access-date=3 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fcinter1908.it/in-evidenza/lippi-bis-forlan-uomo-assist-zarate-un-po-individualista-32287|title=Lippi bis: "Forlan uomo-assist. Zarate un po' individualista"|publisher=F.C. Inter 1908|language=it|access-date=3 December 2014|archive-date=16 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116173447/http://www.fcinter1908.it/in-evidenza/lippi-bis-forlan-uomo-assist-zarate-un-po-individualista-32287|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/jul/25/uruguay-copa-america-triumph-paraguay|title=Uruguay's Copa América triumph ushers in another golden age|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Jonathan|last=Wilson|date=25 July 2011|access-date=30 January 2017}} In addition to his footballing skills, Forlán was also praised for his leadership, longevity and determination throughout his career.{{cite web|url=http://www.soccer-training-info.com/forlan_shooting_long_range.asp|title=Diego Forlan: The Long Range Shooting Artist|website=soccer-training-info.com|access-date=3 December 2014|archive-date=26 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626084235/http://soccer-training-info.com/forlan_shooting_long_range.asp|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/sports/soccer/07netherlandsside.html|title=Leader and Scorer, Yet Not a Finalist|newspaper=The New York Times|first=Rob|last=Hughes|date=6 July 2010|access-date=30 January 2017}}

On 20 December 2019, Forlán was appointed as manager of his former club Peñarol.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/12/20/diego-forlan-penarol-manager|title=Diego Forlan Becomes Peñarol's Manager|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=20 December 2019|access-date=29 May 2020}} He was sacked on 1 September 2020, after winning just four of his eleven games in charge.{{cite news |title=Forlan sacked by hometown club Penarol after 11 games |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53985055 |access-date=1 September 2020 |publisher=BBC |date=1 September 2020}} On 17 March 2021, he was appointed as manager of Atenas of the Uruguayan Segunda División. On 16 September 2021, after a 2–1 loss to Rampla Juniors, he was released.{{Cite news|title=¡El futuro es hoy! Diego Forlán fue destituido como DT en Uruguay vía Zoom|url=https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/diego-forlan-fue-destituido-como-dt-en-uruguay-via-zoom|work=Mediotiempo|date=20 September 2021|access-date=29 September 2021|language=es}}

Diego Forlán was a promising junior tennis player and has continued to play after his retirement from professional football in 2019.{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/uruguay-manchester-united-japan-premier-league-spanish-b2647027.html | title=Diego Forlan 'felt like a tennis player' after playing doubles match in Uruguay | website=Independent.co.uk | date=14 November 2024 }} Since July 2023, he has been competing on the ITF Masters professional tennis tour, and is a ranked player in the 35+, 40+, and 45+ age categories.https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/diego-forlan/800754655/uru/vt/S/overview/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}} In June 2024, Forlán attracted media coverage after reaching the quarterfinals of the ITF MT1000 Lima 45+ tournament in Peru, winning three matches in straight sets.{{cite web | url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/manchester-united-cult-hero-diego-070800401.html | title=Manchester United cult hero Diego Forlan swaps football for tennis | date=22 June 2024 }}

At the age of 45, he was scheduled to play his first professional ATP tournament.{{cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/players/diego-forlan/f0j0/overview | title=Diego Forlan | Overview | ATP Tour | Tennis }} He received a wildcard for the main doubles draw of the 2024 Uruguay Open in Montevideo, where his partner was Argentine Federico Coria.{{cite web|title=Ex-Man Utd striker Forlan to make ATP tennis debut|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cd0z0y5jp90o|date=22 October 2024|website=BBC News|access-date=22 October 2024}} The pair was defeated in the first round of the tournament by the No. 4 seeds from Bolivia, Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos.{{Cite news |date=2024 |title=Former footballer Forlan beaten on pro tennis debut |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c704r2kwl1qo}}{{Cite web |agency=Reuters |date=2024-11-14 |title=Former Uruguay striker swings and misses as tennis debut ends in defeat {{!}} New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/sports/tennis/2024/11/1134225/former-uruguay-striker-swings-and-misses-tennis-debut-ends-defeat |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=NST Online |language=en}}

Forlán was born into a family of footballers – his father, Pablo, having played for Peñarol (1963–1970), São Paulo (1970–1975) and Uruguay in the 1966 and 1974 World Cups, and his maternal grandfather, Juan Carlos Corazzo, for Independiente in Argentina.{{cite magazine |first=Ben |last=Lyttleton |url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2010/07/04/forlan-suarez |title=In Suarez's absence Uruguay will lean even more heavily on Forlan |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=4 July 2010 |accessdate=2 November 2022 }} Forlán is of Italian, Basque, and Irish descent, and because of his Basque ancestry from his grandmother who was originally from Hondarribia, he was linked to Athletic Bilbao after his departure from Manchester United, even though the club only permits Basque players.{{Cite web|title=Forlán dona su camiseta al Museo del Athletic – Athletic Club de Bilbao|url=https://athletic.elcorreo.com/noticias/2010-09-13/forlan-dona-camiseta-museo-201009131102.html|access-date=29 September 2021|website=athletic.elcorreo.com|archive-date=26 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026210244/https://athletic.elcorreo.com/noticias/2010-09-13/forlan-dona-camiseta-museo-201009131102.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Beresford|first=Jack|title=Former Man Utd and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan's Irish roots explored|url=https://www.irishpost.com/news/diego-forlan-irish-roots-169810|access-date=29 September 2021|website=The Irish Post}} His nickname is Cachavacha, a witch who is one of the antagonists from the Argentine cartoon series The Adventures of Hijitus.{{Cite web |date=18 May 2021 |title=Diego Forlán, el cachavacha de Uruguay |url=https://apuntesderabona.com/diego-forlan-el-cachavacha-de-uruguay/ |access-date=2 April 2022 |website=Apuntes de Rabona |language=es}} In addition to his native Spanish, Forlán also speaks English.{{cite web |title=Diego Forlan after scoring his first Premier League goal for Manchester United |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww3RL94_YYI |website=YouTube | date=7 May 2021 |publisher=Sky Sports Retro |access-date=20 January 2024}} Forlán is ambidextrous, using his right hand for writing but uses his left hand when playing tennis. As a footballer, he was capable of passing and shooting with either foot.{{cite web | url=https://a-champs.com/en-au/blogs/magazine/the-importance-of-being-a-two-footed-player#:~:text=Diego%20Forlan%20has%20spoken%20on,being%20a%20two%2Dfooted%20player | title=The Importance of Being a Two-Footed Player }}{{cite web | url=https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/retired-soccer-star-diego-forlan-45-set-atp-debut-uruguay-challenger-federico-coria-doubles | title=Retired soccer star Diego Forlan, 45, set for ATP debut at Uruguay Challenger }}{{cite web | url=https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/uruguayan-footballer-diego-forlan-autographs-a-jersey-to-a-news-photo/92925888?adppopup=true | title=Uruguayan footballer Diego Forlan autographs a jersey to a fan on his | date=9 November 2009 }}

He is a founding member of Fundación Alejandra Forlán, an organization headed by his sister that promotes safer driving.{{cite magazine |first=Marcela |last=Mora y Araujo |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/world-cup-2010/writers/marcela_morayaraujo/06/19/uruguay.forlan/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625070254/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/world-cup-2010/writers/marcela_morayaraujo/06/19/uruguay.forlan/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 June 2010 |title=Forlan ushers Uruguay into new era |date=19 June 2010 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=2 July 2010 }}

In 2009, Forlán appeared in a music video for Coti starring alongside Argentine footballer Maxi Rodríguez.{{cite web|url=http://www.mazcue.com.ar/coti-nunca-tendre-maxi-rodriguez-forlan/ |title=Coti – Nunca Tendré – Maxi Rodriguez y Forlán |publisher=Mazcue.com.ar |access-date=26 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704061142/http://www.mazcue.com.ar/coti-nunca-tendre-maxi-rodriguez-forlan/ |archive-date=4 July 2010 }} In 2021, Forlán began playing amateur football for the Old Boys Club, the alumni team of The British Schools of Montevideo.

Forlán announced on 9 March 2011 on his official Twitter page that he and Argentinian model/actress Zaira Nara were engaged to be married.{{cite web |work=Sport |url=http://sport.de.msn.com/fussball/bilder.aspx?cp-documentid=150457006 |title=Die 'Champions League' der Spielerfrauen |publisher=MSN |date=31 May 2010 |access-date=26 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107095400/http://sport.de.msn.com/fussball/bilder.aspx?cp-documentid=150457006 |archive-date=7 November 2009 |url-status=dead }} In June 2011, however, Forlán and Nara announced they were breaking their engagement. No reason was released for the breakup.{{cite web|first=Greig|last=Box-Turnbull |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/06/18/diego-forlan-s-wedding-to-underwear-model-is-called-off-115875-23208623/ |title=Diego Forlan's wedding to underwear model is called off |work=Daily Mirror |date=18 June 2011 |access-date=24 June 2011}} During 2011 and 2012 he dated model Victoria Saravia.{{Cite web |date=2011-10-18 |title=Tras su inesperada ruptura con Zaira Nara, Diego Forlán recupera la ilusión junto a la modelo uruguaya Victoria Saravia |url=https://www.hola.com/famosos/2011101855077/forlan-zaira-saravia/ |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=HOLA |language=es}}

Forlán is married to Paz Cardoso{{cite web |title=Diego forlan and wife paz cardoso |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/album/2018/09/24/5ba92c6122601ddd408b4652_10.html |website=MARCA English |access-date=25 August 2020 |date=24 September 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Mitten |first1=Andy |title=Manchester United cult hero Diego Forlan retires |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/manchester-united-diego-forlan-retires |access-date=25 August 2020 |work=British GQ |date=7 August 2019}} and together the pair have three sons and a daughter.{{cite news |title=Diego Forlán y Paz Cardoso festejaron el primer añito de Luz en Hong Kong |url=https://www.subrayado.com.uy/diego-forlan-y-paz-cardoso-festejaron-el-primer-anito-luz-hong-kong-n504289 |access-date=15 October 2018 |agency=Subrayado |date=17 May 2018}}{{cite news |title=Nació el tercer hijo de Diego Forlan y Paz Cardoso |url=https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/diego-forlan-fue-padre-por-tercera-vez-201921295324 |access-date=22 March 2019 |agency=El Observador |date=12 February 2019}}{{cite news |title=Diego Forlan: The ex-Man Utd and Uruguay footballer playing professional tennis at 45 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5683356/2024/10/22/diego-forlan-interview-tennis-football-manchester-united-uruguay/ |access-date=19 February 2025 |agency=The Sun |date=22 October 2024 |last1=Eccleshare |first1=Charlie }}

{{notelist}}

:Scores and results list Uruguay's goal tally first.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/forlan-intl.html |title=Diego Forlán Corazo – Century of International Appearances |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation}}

{{updated|match played 15 September 2021}}

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Manchester United{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/2118/Diego-Forl%C3%A1n/overview |title=Diego Forlán: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=5 May 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.efe.com/efe/america/deportes/penarol-homenajea-a-diego-forlan-por-su-trayectoria-y-paso-el-club/20000010-4045350 |title=Peñarol homenajea a Diego Forlán por su trayectoria y paso por el club |newspaper=www.efe.com |publisher=EFE |language=es |date=19 August 2019 |access-date=8 October 2020}}

• Premier League: 2002–03
• FA Cup: 2003–04
• FA Community Shield: 2003

Villarreal

• UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2004

Atlético Madrid{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/17/diego-forlan-mumbai-manchester-united-uruguay-hope|title=Diego Forlán has joined a new club aged 37, giving hope to late bloomers|date=16 August 2016|website=The Guardian|access-date=8 October 2020}}

• UEFA Europa League: 2009–10
• UEFA Super Cup: 2010

Internacional

• Campeonato Gaúcho: 2013

Peñarol

• Primera División: 2015–16

Kitchee{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3021853/beautiful-stage-closes-full-great-memories-former-uruguay-and|title='A beautiful stage closes full of great memories' – former Uruguay and Kitchee striker Diego Forlan announces retirement|date=7 August 2019|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=8 October 2020}}

• Hong Kong Premier League: 2017–18

{{col-2}}

Uruguay

• Copa América: 2011

Individual

• La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year: 2004–05
• Pichichi Trophy: 2004–05, 2008–09
• European Golden Shoe: 2004–05,{{refn|group=note|In 2004–05, Forlán shared the European Golden Shoe with Thierry Henry.}} 2008–09
• UEFA Europa League Final Man of The Match: 2010{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0250-0c51179e21ca-099762eca656-1000--herrera-named-man-of-the-match/|title=Herrera named man of the match|date=24 May 2017|publisher=UEFA|access-date=8 October 2020}}
• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2010{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/11/world-cup-2010-diego-forlan|title=World Cup 2010: Diego Forlán voted best player|date=10 July 2010|website=The Guardian|access-date=8 October 2020}}
• FIFA World Cup Goal of the Tournament: 2010
• FIFA World Cup top goalscorer: 2010{{refn|group=note|Thomas Müller, David Villa, Wesley Sneijder and Diego Forlán each scored five goals in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Müller won the Golden Boot by virtue of having more assists (three) than the rest (each had one). Villa won the Silver Boot due to having played fewer minutes than Sneijder, and Sneijder won the Bronze Boot due to having played fewer minutes than Forlán.}}
• FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2010{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=1274177/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521034724/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=1274177/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 May 2014|title=Spaniards dominate Dream Team|date=15 July 2010|publisher=FIFA|access-date=5 September 2014}}
• Campeonato Gaúcho top goalscorer: 2013
• IFFHS Uruguayan Men's Dream Team (Team B){{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/2118 |title=IFFHS All-Time Uruguay Men's Dream Team |publisher=IFFHS |date=5 August 2021 |access-date=9 January 2023}}

{{col-end}}

• List of footballers with 100 or more caps

{{Reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.auf.org.uy/diego-forlan/ Profile] at the Uruguayan Football Association website {{in lang|es}}
• {{UEFA player}}
• {{FIFA player}}
• {{ATP|f0j0}}
• {{ITF|diego-forlan/800754655/uru}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Forlan, Diego}}

Category:1979 births

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