View source for Diego Forlán

{{short description|Uruguayan footballer and manager (born 1979)}}
{{Redirect|Forlán|his father|Pablo Forlán}}
{{family name hatnote|Forlán|Corazo|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Diego Forlán
| image = U10 Diego Forlán 7524.jpg
| caption = Forlán lining up for [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] in 2014
| full_name = Diego Forlán Corazo<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2014/pdf/fwc_2014_squadlists.pdf |title=2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players: Uruguay |page=31 |publisher=FIFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203092301/http://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2014/pdf/fwc_2014_squadlists.pdf |archive-date=3 February 2020}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|5|19|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/18587/diego-forlan |title=Diego Forlán: Overview |publisher=ESPN |access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Montevideo]], Uruguay
| height = 1.80 m<ref name="PremProfile"/>
| position = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 1990–1991
| youthclubs1 = [[Peñarol]]
| youthyears2 = 1991–1994
| youthclubs2 = [[Danubio]]
| youthyears3 = 1994–1997
| youthclubs3 = [[Club Atlético Independiente|Independiente]]
| years1 = 1997–2002
| clubs1 = [[Club Atlético Independiente|Independiente]]
| caps1 = 80
| goals1 = 37
| years2 = 2002–2004
| clubs2 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| caps2 = 63
| goals2 = 10
| years3 = 2004–2007
| clubs3 = [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]]
| caps3 = 106
| goals3 = 54
| years4 = 2007–2011
| clubs4 = [[Atlético Madrid]]
| caps4 = 134
| goals4 = 74
| years5 = 2011–2012
| clubs5 = [[Inter Milan]]
| caps5 = 18
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2012–2014
| clubs6 = [[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]]
| caps6 = 34
| goals6 = 10
| years7 = 2014–2015
| clubs7 = [[Cerezo Osaka]]
| caps7 = 42
| goals7 = 17
| years8 = 2015–2016
| clubs8 = [[Peñarol]]
| caps8 = 30
| goals8 = 8
| years9 = 2016
| clubs9 = [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]
| caps9 = 11
| goals9 = 5
| years10 = 2018
| clubs10 = [[Kitchee SC|Kitchee]]
| caps10 = 7
| goals10 = 5
| totalcaps = 525
| totalgoals = 222
| nationalyears1 = 1999
| nationalteam1 = [[Uruguay national under-20 football team|Uruguay U20]]
| manageryears1 = 2020
| managerclubs1 = [[Peñarol]]
| nationalyears2 = 2002–2014
| nationalteam2 = [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]]
| nationalcaps2 = 112
| nationalgoals2 = 36
| manageryears2 = 2021
| managerclubs2 = [[Atenas de San Carlos|Atenas]]
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[association football|football]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|URU}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Copa América]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2011 Copa América|2011]]|}}
{{Medal|Third|[[2004 Copa América|2004]]|}}
| upright = 1
}}
'''Diego Forlán Corazo''' (<small>Spanish pronunciation:</small> [[Help:IPA/Spanish|[ˈdje.ɣo foɾˈlan]]]<small>;</small> born 19 May 1979) is a Uruguayan [[Manager (association football)|football manager]] and a former [[Manager (association football)|player]], who played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]], and last served as head coach for [[Uruguayan Segunda División]] club [[Atenas de San Carlos|Club Atlético Atenas]]. Widely regarded as one of the best forwards of his generation,<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=20 June 2013 |title=Centurion Forlan downs Nigeria |url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=255199/match=300222459/summary.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624053120/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=255199/match=300222459/summary.html |archive-date=24 June 2013 |access-date=8 August 2013 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Forlán was praised for his versatility, intelligence, technique, and shooting abilities.<ref name="corriere">{{cite web |title=Scheda Giocatore: Diego FORLAN |url=http://www.corriere.it/mondiali/2014/gruppo-d/uruguay/diego-martin-corazo-forlan.shtml |access-date=30 January 2017 |publisher=Il Corriere della Sera |language=it}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> As of 2024, Forlán is a professional [[tennis]] player, having made his [[Association of Tennis Professionals|ATP]] debut at the [[2024 Uruguay Open – Doubles|2024 Uruguay Open]].<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c704r2kwl1qo</ref>

Forlán started his career in his native Uruguay as a youth player with [[Peñarol]] and [[Danubio F.C.|Danubio]], before joining Argentine club [[Club Atlético Independiente|Independiente]] in [[1997–98 Argentine Primera División|1997]]. After rising through their youth team and a successful four-year spell, he sealed a move to England with [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in [[2001–02 Manchester United F.C. season|2002]]. His form for Manchester United was not as successful as at Independiente, although he won the [[Premier League]] in [[2002–03 Premier League|2002–03]] and the [[FA Cup]] in [[2003–04 FA Cup|2003–04]]. In the summer of [[2004–05 Villarreal CF season|2004]], Forlán moved to Spanish side [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]]. In his [[2004–05 La Liga|first season]] with the club, he won the [[Pichichi Trophy]] and [[European Golden Shoe]] with 25 goals. After two more successful seasons with Villarreal, during which he won the [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]] in [[2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup|2004]] and reached the semi-finals of the [[UEFA Champions League]] in [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]], Forlán joined [[Atlético Madrid]] in [[2007–08 La Liga|2007]] where, in the [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09 season]], he once again became the league's top scorer, winning both the Pichichi Trophy and European Golden Shoe for the second time with 32 goals, becoming the first player to win the Pichichi Trophy twice since [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] in [[1996–97 La Liga|1996–97]] and [[2003–04 La Liga|2003–04]]. Forlán also won the [[UEFA Europa League]], of which he scored the decisive goal in the [[2010 UEFA Europa League Final|final]], and the [[2010 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]] with Atlético Madrid, both in [[2009–10 Atlético Madrid season|2010]]. In [[2011–12 Inter Milan season|2011]], he joined Italian club [[Inter Milan]], before moving to [[SC Internacional|Internacional]] in Brazil during the 2012 season. After spells in Japan with [[Cerezo Osaka]], back in Uruguay with his boyhood club Peñarol, in India with [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]] and in Hong Kong with [[Kitchee SC|Kitchee]], Forlán officially announced his retirement from professional football in August 2019.

Forlán also had a successful international career, scoring 36 times for his country between his debut in 2002 and his international retirement in 2015. Forlán represented Uruguay in three [[FIFA World Cup]]s ([[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]], [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]], [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014]]) and three [[Copa América|Copa Américas]] ([[2004 Copa América|2004]], [[2007 Copa América|2007]], [[2011 Copa América|2011]]). His most notable achievement came at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in which he led Uruguay to the final four for the first time since the [[1970 FIFA World Cup]], scoring five goals and one assist in the process, and was ultimately awarded the [[Golden Ball (FIFA)|Golden Ball]] as the tournament's best player, selected for [[2010 FIFA World Cup#Dream Team|team of the tournament]], and was the [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Boot|joint]][[1996–97 La Liga|–]]<nowiki/>top scorer. In the following year, Forlán earned his 79th international [[Cap (sport)|cap]] in a match against [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]], breaking the record held since 1986 by goalkeeper [[Rodolfo Rodríguez (Uruguayan footballer)|Rodolfo Rodríguez]], at the [[2011 Copa América]], in which Uruguay won for the first time since [[1995 Copa América|1995]], with Forlán scoring two goals in the [[2011 Copa América final|final]]. On 20 June 2013, in a match against [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] at the [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup|2013  Confederations Cup]], Forlán became the first Uruguayan to win [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps|100 caps]]. He was Uruguay's all-time leading top scorer from 2011 until [[Luis Suárez]] overtook him two years later in 2013.

After retiring as a player, Forlán began his coaching career in Uruguay, managing Peñarol and Atenas in 2020 and 2021. He has also collaborated with [[FIFA]] in several ventures, having served as a tournament ambassador for the [[2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-18 |title=Uruguay 2018: More than just an emblem launch |url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/uruguay-2018-more-than-just-an-emblem-launch |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=GhanaSoccernet |language=en}}</ref> and since 2022, has served as an international ambassador for the [[FIFA Museum]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=“A new and fascinating role”: Diego Forlán joins FIFA World Football Museum as international ambassador |url=https://www.fifamuseum.com/en/explore/fifamuseumplus/blog/A-new-and-fascinatin |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=www.fifamuseum.com}}</ref> Since July 2023, Forlán has continued his tennis career, competing in the ITF Masters tour, ranking in the 35+, 40+, and 45+ age categories, and played his first ATP event at the 2024 Uruguay Open in doubles with [[Federico Coria]].<ref name=":3" />

==Early life and education==
Forlán was born on 19 May 1979 and raised in the neighborhood of [[Carrasco, Montevideo|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 of Montevideo|Rambla]].<ref name="forlan2022interview">{{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}}</ref> Forlán was born into a family of professional footballers, being the son of former player [[Pablo Forlán]], having played several prolific years for [[Peñarol]] and [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]] and represented the [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay national team]] in the [[1966 FIFA World Cup|1966]] and [[1974 FIFA World Cup|1974]] [[FIFA World Cup]]s, and the grandson of [[Juan Carlos Corazzo]], known for his tenure with [[Club Atlético Independiente|Independiente]] in Argentina, through his mother, Pilar Corazo.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Diego Forlan |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/diego-forlan-18722/ |access-date=5 May 2020 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite magazine |last=Lyttleton |first=Ben |date=4 July 2010 |title=In Suarez's absence Uruguay will lean even more heavily on Forlan |url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2010/07/04/forlan-suarez |accessdate=2 November 2022 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref> He is also a distant relative to footballers [[:es:Richard_Forlán|Richard Forlán]] and [[Cristopher Fiermarin]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=El boxeador que cuida el arco de Torque |url=https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/el-boxeador-que-cuida-el-arco-de-torque-201893192810 |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=El Observador |language=es-UY}}</ref>

Forlán attended multiple schools in the private and state sector during his youth. He started at the [[Liceo Francés Jules Supervielle]] in [[Buceo]], but later transferred to the Erwy School because it was closer to his home.<ref name=forlan2022interview /> This was followed by [[Scuola Italiana di Montevideo]] and then Liceo 15 in Carrasco. He learned English at school from a young age.<ref name="forlanquestions">{{cite web |title=Forlan answers your questions |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/newsid_3300000/3300507.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 March 2022 |date=8 December 2003}}</ref> As a child, Forlán played tennis at the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club, in addition to football, which often took place on the streets.<ref name=forlan2022interview />

{{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 Forlán|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 focused more on football, like his father and grandfather, in the hope that he might contribute to paying for his sister's treatment.<ref name="hyde">{{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}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Early career===
Forlán was a boyhood fan of [[Peñarol]] and played youth football for both Peñarol and [[Danubio F.C.|Danubio]].<ref name=forlanquestions /><ref name=forlan2022interview /> In 1995, a 16-year-old Forlán moved to France, where he spent four months on trial at [[AS Nancy|Nancy]], but was ultimately not offered a contract by manager [[László Bölöni]].<ref name=hyde />

===Independiente===
Forlán received an offer to join Argentine side [[Club Atlético Independiente|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]].<ref name=forlan2022interview />

Forlán scored 37 goals in 80 league games.<ref>{{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}}</ref> His goalscoring attracted the attention of European sides, and in January 2002, Independiente agreed a £6.9&nbsp;million deal with [[Middlesbrough F.C.|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 F.C.|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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> He signed for United soon after.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

===Manchester United===
Forlán was signed for Manchester United by [[Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson]] for £6.9&nbsp;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 F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]. He made his first start in 4–0 home victory over [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] on 6 March. Forlán made 13 [[Premier League]] and five [[UEFA Champions League]] appearances in the [[2001–02 Manchester United F.C. season|2001–02 season]] but did not score.<ref name="2001/02">{{Soccerbase season|29892|2001}}</ref>

On 18 September 2002, Forlán came on as a 56th-minute substitute for [[Ryan Giggs]] in a [[2002–03 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] match versus [[Maccabi Haifa F.C.|Maccabi Haifa]]. He scored his first United goal as an 89th-minute [[Penalty kick (association football)|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 F.C.|Aston Villa]] on 26 October. In Forlán's next Premier League game, at home to [[Southampton F.C.|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 (footballer)|Antti Niemi]] in the 85th minute.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2373309.stm |website=BBC Sport |title=Forlan finish boosts Man Utd |date=2 November 2002 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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 [[Liverpool F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry|rivals]] [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]].<ref>{{Soccerbase season|29892|2002}}</ref> On 17 December 2002, Forlán scored the winning goal as United defeated [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in the quarter-finals of the [[2002–03 Football League Cup|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://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}}</ref> Manchester United went on to win the [[List of English football champions|Premier League title]] in [[2002–03 FA Premier League|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://free-elements.com/England/Goals/ManU/ManU2002.html |title=Manchester United 2002–2003 |publisher=Free-elements.com }}</ref>

At the start of the [[2003–04 Manchester United F.C. season|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 F.C.|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 [[2003–04 Football League Cup|League Cup]] game at [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] which Manchester United won 3–2. This was followed by the opener in a 3–0 home Premier League victory over [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] and a sixth-minute goal in a win by the same score over [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] in the [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]]. In his next Champions League game, he scored the 85th-minute winner for United over [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]] in a 1–0 away victory. On 6 December 2003, Forlán scored two injury-time goals as Manchester United beat [[Aston Villa F.C.|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 F.C.|Northampton Town]] of Division Three on 24 January 2004 in the [[2003–04 FA Cup|FA Cup]].<ref>{{Soccerbase season|29892|2003}}</ref> Diego Forlán did not feature at all in United's 3–0 victory over [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] in the [[2004 FA Cup Final]] on 22 May 2004.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd win FA Cup |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/3725063.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2004 }}</ref>

He started the [[2004–05 Manchester United F.C. season|2004–05 season]] with Manchester United and played in a [[2004–05 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] qualifier against [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]] and a 3–1 defeat to [[Arsenal F.C.|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.<ref name="soccerbase1">{{Soccerbase season|29892|2004}}</ref>

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 [[Liverpool#Demonym_and_identity|scousers]] cry". Forlán spoke of this fondly in 2010.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

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

Forlán's debut for Villarreal was on 30 August 2004, starting away to rivals [[Valencia CF|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 [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] and the final goal of a 4–0 win at home to [[CD Numancia|Numancia]]. Between 12 December 2004 and 16 January 2005, Forlán scored seven goals in five [[La Liga|Primera División]] matches, including a brace in a 3–0 home victory over [[FC Barcelona|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.<ref name="soccerbase1"/> 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]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Henry and Forlan win Golden Shoe|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4593173.stm|access-date=22 March 2014|website=BBC Sport|date=30 May 2005}}</ref>

His goal rate declined in the [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06]] season as Villarreal underwent several changes, yet the club reached the semi-finals of the [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] where they were knocked out by Arsenal.

In [[2006–07 La Liga|2006–07]], he ended the season with 19 goals in 36 league appearances.

===Atlético Madrid===
====2007–08 season====
[[File:Diego Forlán in Moscow.jpg|thumb|upright|220x280px|Forlán playing for [[Atlético Madrid]] in 2007]]
Forlán was linked with a transfer jointly with [[Juan Román Riquelme]] to [[Atlético Madrid]] in exchange for [[Luis Amaranto Perea|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&nbsp;million.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He returned to England in February 2008 to take part in Atlético's [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] clash against [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|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 [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] for the first time in over a decade, scoring the winning goal against [[Deportivo de La Coruña]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> He ended his first season in Madrid with 23 goals and formed a potent partnership with Argentinian striker [[Sergio Agüero]].

====2008–09 season====
On 9 May 2009, Forlán scored twice against [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]] to help Atlético clinch Champions League qualification for a second successive year.<ref>{{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}}</ref> ''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 goal|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He ended the 2008–09 season with a very impressive 32 goals in 33 matches.

====2009–10 season====
[[File:Diego Forlán (Atlético Madrid).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Forlán playing for Atlético Madrid in 2009]]
Forlán started the [[2009–10 La Liga|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,<ref>{{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}}</ref> as well as criticism for Forlán, who was subsequently left out of the squad for the next game.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 [[UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] and [[Copa del Rey]]. On 14 February 2010, Forlán scored the first goal as Atlético beat Barcelona 2–1 at the [[Estadio Vicente Calderón|Vicente Calderón]], inflicting the eventual Champions only league defeat of the season.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://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}}</ref> Forlán scored twice against Fulham in the [[2010 UEFA Europa League Final|final]], in a 2–1 win and was awarded man of the match.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://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}}</ref> He ended the season with a total of 28 goals, including six in Atlético's successful Europa League campaign.

====2010–11 season====
The [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11 season]] began with another trophy for Forlán and Atlético, winning the [[2010 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]], beating [[Inter Milan]] 2–0 in [[Monaco]] on 27 August 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8951467.stm|title=Atlético stun Inter in Super Cup|date=27 August 2010|website=BBC Sport|access-date=13 November 2010}}</ref> 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 [[CA Osasuna|Osasuna]] on 13 November.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Inter Milan===
On 29 August 2011, it was confirmed that Forlán had joined Inter Milan as a replacement for the departing [[Samuel Eto'o]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> No financial details were announced but it is believed the 32-year-old signed an initial two-year deal.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> He made his debut on 11 September 2011, scoring with a high left foot shot in a 4–3 defeat at Sicilian club [[U.S. Città di Palermo|Palermo]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 4 March 2012, Forlán scored his second goal for Inter against [[Calcio Catania|Catania]] in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> In June, his father confirmed the belief that the striker would see out his contract with the ''Nerazzurri''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.

===Internacional===
[[File:ForlanInter2013.jpg|thumb|Forlán playing for [[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]] in 2013]]
On 6 July 2012, after terminating his contract with Inter, Forlán signed a three-year deal with Brazilian club [[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]].<ref>{{cite web |date=6 July 2012 |title=Diego Forlán é do Internacional |trans-title=Diego Forlán is with Internacional. |url=http://www.internacional.com.br/pagina.php?modulo=2&setor=18&codigo=18007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610174102/http://www.internacional.com.br/pagina.php?modulo=2&setor=18&codigo=18007 |archive-date=10 June 2013 |access-date=6 July 2012 |language=pt}}</ref> He was also linked to Mexican teams [[Tigres UANL]] and [[Club América]].<ref>{{cite web |date=19 May 2012 |title=Forlán quiere jugar en América |trans-title=Forlán wants to play in America. |url=http://www.record.com.mx/article/forlan-quiere-jugar-en-america-ok |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 |access-date=6 May 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 November 2012 |title=León sueña con el uruguayo Diego Forlán |trans-title=León dreams of the Uruguayan Diego Forlán. |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/news/story?id=1669762&s=mex&type=story |access-date=6 May 2013 |newspaper=Espndeportes.com}}</ref>

On 28 July 2012, he made his debut for the Brazilian club against [[CR Vasco da Gama|Vasco da Gama]]. Forlán scored his first two goals for Internacional in a 4–1 win against [[Clube de Regatas do Flamengo|Flamengo]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Forlán also helped the club win 2013 [[Campeonato Gaúcho]], scoring nine goals, the highest total at the tournament.{{fact|date=November 2022}}

===Cerezo Osaka===
On 22 January 2014, Forlán signed an 18-month deal with Japanese [[J1 League]] side [[Cerezo Osaka]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 F.C.|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 Taishan F.C.|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 Taobao F.C.|Guangzhou Evergrande]], losing 5–1 at home in the first leg.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 FC|Kyoto Sanga]] on 29 April 2015, his side winning 3–0.

===Peñarol===
On 10 July 2015, Forlán signed an 18-month contract with his boyhood club [[Peñarol]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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}}

===Mumbai City===
In August 2016, Forlán signed a three-month deal with [[Indian Super League]] club [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]].<ref name="late bloomers">{{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}}</ref> He scored a hat-trick against [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] in their 5–0 win on 19 November.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Mumbai finished first in the league table and progressed to the semi-final of the playoffs where they would face [[ATK (football club)|ATK]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> After conceding an early goal, Mumbai equalised and soon took the lead from the headers of [[Léo Costa (footballer, born 1986)|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Kitchee===
[[File:Diego Forlán 28 jan 2018.jpg|thumb|upright|Forlán playing for [[Kitchee SC|Kitchee]] in 2018]]
On 4 January 2018, Forlán joined [[Hong Kong Premier League]] club [[Kitchee SC|Kitchee]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 District FC|Southern]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=14 January 2018 |title=Hong Kong: Diego Forlán debutó en el Kitchee que igualó 2–2 con Southern District |trans-title=Hong Kong: Diego Forlán debuted for Kitchee, which drew 2-2 with Southern District. |url=http://www.futbol.com.uy/Deportes/Hong-Kong-Diego-Forlan-debuto-en-el-Kitchee-que-igualo-2-2-con-Southern-District-uc672231 |access-date=14 January 2018 |publisher=FútbolUy |language=es}}</ref> On 28 January, Forlán scored his first and second goals for Kitchee in a 7–0 victory over [[Hong Kong Rangers FC|Biu Chun Rangers]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> He scored a hat-trick in a 5–1 win against [[Lee Man FC|Lee Man]] in the following match.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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=https://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}}</ref>

===Retirement===
A year after leaving Kitchee, Forlán announced his retirement from professional football on 7 August 2019.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

==International career==
[[File:Diego Forlán.jpg|thumb|upright|Forlán playing for [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] at the [[2007 Copa América]]]]
Forlán's 100th cap came in the [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup]] match against [[Nigeria national football team|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> (Scarone scored 42 goals in total, but 11 of them were in unofficial matches).<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===2002 FIFA World Cup, 2004 Copa América, and 2007 Copa América===
Forlán debuted for the Uruguayan senior squad on 27 March 2002, scoring his first goal in a 3–2 friendly defeat against [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 July 2011 |title=Diego Forlán, a un paso de batir varios récords con Uruguay |trans-title=Diego Forlán, one step away from breaking several records with Uruguay. |url=https://www.elmundo.es/america/2011/07/11/deportes/1310409956.html |access-date=11 September 2024 |website=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]] |language=es}}</ref> During the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]], he scored a volley on 11 June in the group stage 3–3 draw against [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Senegal cling on to qualify |url=https://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 }}</ref> Despite coming from three goals down to draw the game, Uruguay were eliminated from the tournament along with [[France national football team|France]] in [[2002 FIFA World Cup Group A|Group A]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Senegal cling on to qualify|url=https://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}}</ref> Forlán scored against [[Brazil national football team|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

===2010 FIFA World Cup===
{{main|2010 FIFA World Cup}}
[[File:Suárez Forlan (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Forlán (right) with [[Luis Suárez]] at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]]]]
On 17 June 2008, Forlán scored a hat-trick in a [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|World Cup qualifying]] game against [[Peru national football team|Peru]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

On 16 June 2010, during Uruguay's second group game in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] against [[South Africa national football team|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.<ref>{{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=September 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> On 2 July 2010, Forlán scored a free kick against [[Ghana national football team|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 (association football)|penalty shootout]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_58/default.stm |title=Uruguay 1–1 Ghana (aet) |date=2 July 2010 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 July 2010}}</ref> On 6 July 2010, Forlán scored another long range goal, this time with his left foot to equalise against the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] in the semi-final. Despite a half-time score of 1–1, Uruguay eventually lost 3–2 as the Dutch advanced to the [[2010 FIFA World Cup Final|final]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_61/default.stm |title=Uruguay 2–3 Netherlands |date=6 July 2010 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2010}}</ref> Forlán became the first player since [[Lothar Matthäus]] in [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]] to score three goals from outside the penalty area in one tournament.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Forlán then hit the crossbar with the final kick of the game from a free kick as they lost to [[Germany national football team|Germany]] 3–2 in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Third place play-off|third place play-off]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_63/default.stm |title=Uruguay 2–3 Germany |date=10 July 2010 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=10 July 2010}}</ref> Forlán was awarded the [[Golden Ball (FIFA)|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

===2011 Copa América===
{{main|2011 Copa América}}
[[File:Diego Forlan - 2011 CA final.jpg|thumb|Forlán in action during the [[2011 Copa América final]]]]

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 national football team|Paraguay]] 3–0 in [[2011 Copa América Final|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===2013 FIFA Confederations Cup===
{{main|2013 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
On 16 June 2013, Forlán appeared as a 69th-minute substitute in Uruguay's opening [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup|2013 Confederations Cup]] match against [[Spain national football team|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 national football team|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 (football goalkeeper, born 1979)|Júlio César]].

===2014 FIFA World Cup===
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 national football team|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 national football team|Colombia]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Retirement===
On 11 March 2015, Forlán announced his retirement from the national team. He represented Uruguay with 112 caps, scoring 36 times.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Style of play==
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.<ref name="2013 FIFA Confederation Cup Profile: Uruguay, 10 – Diego FORLAN">{{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}}</ref><ref name="Uruguay's madman"/> He was deployed as a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|main striker]] (his favoured position), as a [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|supporting forward]], as an [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]], and even as a [[Forward (association football)#Winger|winger]], often drifting onto the flank to [[Playmaker|begin attacking plays]].<ref name="2013 FIFA Confederation Cup Profile: Uruguay, 10 – Diego FORLAN" /><ref name="Forlán saves Atlético"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Forlan, quando a Manchester scrivevano: "C'ero quando ha segnato un gol" |trans-title=Forlan, when they wrote in Manchester: "I was there when he scored a goal." |url=http://www.fcinter1908.it/dal-ritiro-nerazzurro/forlan-quando-a-manchester-scrivevano-c-ero-quando-ha-segnato-un-gol-31426 |url-status=dead |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 |archive-date=16 January 2015 |access-date=3 December 2014 |publisher=F.C. Inter 1908 |language=it}}</ref> He was capable of scoring with either foot,<ref name="Forlán saves Atlético">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 |last1=Turner |first1=Mikhail }}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Alongside this, Forlán was also an accurate [[Direct free kick|set-piece]] and [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] taker.<ref name="Uruguay's madman"/><ref name="corriere"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 (football)|assist]] provider.<ref name="late bloomers"/><ref name="2013 FIFA Confederation Cup Profile: Uruguay, 10 – Diego FORLAN" /><ref name="Uruguay's madman">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lippi bis: "Forlan uomo-assist. Zarate un po' individualista" |trans-title=Lippi again: "Forlan is an assist-man. Zarate is a bit individualistic." |url=http://www.fcinter1908.it/in-evidenza/lippi-bis-forlan-uomo-assist-zarate-un-po-individualista-32287 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116173447/http://www.fcinter1908.it/in-evidenza/lippi-bis-forlan-uomo-assist-zarate-un-po-individualista-32287 |archive-date=16 January 2015 |access-date=3 December 2014 |publisher=F.C. Inter 1908 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> In addition to his footballing skills, Forlán was also praised for his leadership, longevity and determination throughout his career.<ref name="Uruguay's madman"/><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
On 20 December 2019, Forlán was appointed as manager of his former club [[Peñarol]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was sacked on 1 September 2020, after winning just four of his eleven games in charge.<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 17 March 2021, he was appointed as manager of [[Atenas de San Carlos|Atenas]] of the [[Uruguayan Segunda División]]. On 16 September 2021, after a 2–1 loss to [[Rampla Juniors]], he was released.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 September 2021 |title=¡El futuro es hoy! Diego Forlán fue destituido como DT en Uruguay vía Zoom |trans-title=The future is now! Diego Forlán was dismissed as coach in Uruguay via Zoom. |url=https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/diego-forlan-fue-destituido-como-dt-en-uruguay-via-zoom |access-date=29 September 2021 |work=Mediotiempo |language=es}}</ref>

==Tennis career==
Diego Forlán was a promising junior tennis player and has continued to play after his retirement from professional football in 2019.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Diego Forlan Masters Tour Singles Overview |url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/diego-forlan/800754655/uru/vt/S/overview/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=www.itftennis.com}}</ref> In June 2024, Forlán attracted media coverage after reaching the quarterfinals of the [[International Tennis Federation#Seniors circuit|ITF MT1000]] Lima 45+ tournament in Peru, winning three matches in straight sets.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 

At the age of 45, he was scheduled to play his first professional [[ATP Tour|ATP tournament]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/players/diego-forlan/f0j0/overview | title=Diego Forlan &#124; Overview &#124; ATP Tour &#124; Tennis }}</ref> He received a [[Wild card (sports)|wildcard]] for the main doubles draw of the [[2024 Uruguay Open – Doubles|2024 Uruguay Open]] in [[Montevideo]], where his partner was Argentine [[Federico Coria]].<ref name=":3">{{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}}</ref> The pair was defeated in the first round of the tournament by the No. 4 seeds from [[Bolivia]], [[Boris Arias]] and [[Federico Zeballos]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024 |title=Former footballer Forlan beaten on pro tennis debut |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c704r2kwl1qo}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Forlán is of [[Basque Uruguayans|Basque]], [[Irish Uruguayans|Irish]], and [[Italian Uruguayans|Italian]] descent, and because of his Basque ancestry from his grandmother, who was originally from the province of [[Gipuzkoa]] and [[Immigration to Uruguay|immigrated to Uruguay]] when she was a teenager, he was linked to [[Athletic Bilbao]] after his departure from [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], even though the club [[Athletic Bilbao signing policy|only permits Basque players]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=S.A. |first=Sarenet |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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026210244/https://athletic.elcorreo.com/noticias/2010-09-13/forlan-dona-camiseta-museo-201009131102.html |archive-date=2022-10-26 |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=athletic.elcorreo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Beresford |first=Jack |title=Former Manchester Utd striker Diego Forlan's Irish roots explored |url=https://www.irishpost.com/news/diego-forlan-irish-roots-169810 |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=The Irish Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-04 |title=Forlán: "I nearly joined Athletic, I'm as Basque as anyone there" |url=https://en.as.com/en/2019/12/04/soccer/1575463996_550891.html |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=AS USA |language=en-us}}</ref> His nickname is ''Cachavacha,'' a witch who is one of the antagonists from the Argentine cartoon series ''[[The Adventures of Hijitus]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=rabona |date=2021-05-18 |title=Diego Forlán, el cachavacha de Uruguay |url=https://apuntesderabona.com/diego-forlan-el-cachavacha-de-uruguay/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Apuntes de Rabona |language=es}}</ref> In addition to his native [[Spanish language|Spanish]], Forlán is also well-versed in [[English language|English]] and has working knowledge in [[Italian language|Italian]], having learned both languages in school during his youth, and [[Brazilian Portuguese]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww3RL94_YYI |title=Diego Forlan after scoring his first Premier League goal for Manchester United |date=2021-05-07 |last=Sky Sports Retro |access-date=2025-06-24 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Forlán is [[Cross-dominance|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Importance of Being a Two-Footed Player |url=https://a-champs.com/blogs/magazine/the-importance-of-being-a-two-footed-player |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=A-Champs Interactive Training Solutions S.L. |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Retired soccer star Diego Forlan, 45, set for ATP debut at Uruguay Challenger |url=https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/retired-soccer-star-diego-forlan-45-set-atp-debut-uruguay-challenger-federico-coria-doubles |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241114141955/https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/retired-soccer-star-diego-forlan-45-set-atp-debut-uruguay-challenger-federico-coria-doubles |archive-date=2024-11-14 |access-date=2025-06-24 |work=Tennis.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-11-09 |title=Uruguayan footballer Diego Forlan autographs a jersey to a fan on his... |url=https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/uruguayan-footballer-diego-forlan-autographs-a-jersey-to-a-news-photo/92925888 |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Getty Images |language=en-gb}}</ref>

Forlán is a founding member of Fundación Alejandra Forlán, an organization headed by [[Alejandra Forlán|his sister]] that promotes safer driving.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> In 2009, Forlán appeared in a music video for [[Coti]] starring alongside Argentine footballer [[Maxi Rodríguez]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=» Coti – Nunca Tendré – Maxi Rodriguez y Forlán |trans-title=» Coti – I Will Never Have – Maxi Rodriguez and Forlán |url=http://www.mazcue.com.ar/coti-nunca-tendre-maxi-rodriguez-forlan/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704061142/http://www.mazcue.com.ar/coti-nunca-tendre-maxi-rodriguez-forlan/ |archive-date=2010-07-04 |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=www.mazcue.com.ar |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, Forlán began playing amateur football for the [[Old Boys & Old Girls Club|Old Boys Club]], the alumni team of [[The British Schools of Montevideo]].<ref name="forlan2022interview" />

===Relationships===
Forlán announced on 9 March 2011 on his official [[Twitter]] page that he and Argentinian model/actress [[Zaira Nara]] were engaged to be married.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> In June 2011, however, Forlán and Nara announced they were breaking their engagement. No reason was released for the breakup.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Between 2011 and 2012, Forlán dated Uruguayan model/television personality [[Victoria Saravia]].<ref>{{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 |trans-title=After his unexpected breakup with Zaira Nara, Diego Forlán finds hope again with Uruguayan model Victoria Saravia. |url=https://www.hola.com/famosos/2011101855077/forlan-zaira-saravia/ |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=HOLA |language=es}}</ref>

Forlán married Paz Cardoso on November 2013 and together, the pair have three sons and a daughter.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=17 May 2018 |title=Diego Forlán y Paz Cardoso festejaron el primer añito de Luz en Hong Kong |trans-title=Diego Forlán and Paz Cardoso celebrated Luz's first birthday in 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}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=12 February 2019 |title=Nació el tercer hijo de Diego Forlan y Paz Cardoso |trans-title=Diego Forlán and Paz Cardoso's third child was born. |url=https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/diego-forlan-fue-padre-por-tercera-vez-201921295324 |access-date=22 March 2019 |agency=El Observador}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="autogeneratedcc">{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/18587/diego-forlan |title=Diego Forlan Bio, Stats, News |website=ESPN FC }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/forlan.html |title=Diego Forlan |last=Endlar |first=Andrew |website=StretfordEnd }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Diego Forlán " Club matches|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/diego-forlan/2/|website=WorldFootball.net|date=5 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hkfa.com/en/club/4/detail?player=17271|title=Player information – Forlan Corazo, Diego|publisher=Hong Kong Football Association|access-date=3 February 2018}}</ref>
!rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season
!colspan=3|League
!colspan=2|National cup<ref group=lower-alpha>Includes [[FA Cup]], [[Copa del Rey]], [[Copa do Brasil]], [[Emperor's Cup]] and [[Hong Kong FA Cup]]</ref>
!colspan=2|Continental<ref group=lower-alpha>Includes [[UEFA Champions League]], [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League]], [[AFC Champions League]] and [[Copa Libertadores]]</ref>
!colspan=2|Other<ref group=lower-alpha>Includes [[EFL Cup|Football League Cup]], [[FA Community Shield]], [[UEFA Super Cup]], [[FIFA Club World Cup]], [[Campeonato Gaúcho]], [[2015–16 Uruguayan Primera División season#Championship playoff|Uruguayan Championship playoffs]] and [[2016 Indian Super League playoffs|Indian Super League playoffs]]</ref>
!colspan=2|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan=5|[[Club Atlético Independiente|Independiente]]
|[[1998–99 Argentine Primera División|1998–99]]
|[[Argentine Primera División]]
|2||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||2||0
|-
|[[1999–2000 Argentine Primera División|1999–2000]]
|Argentine Primera División
|24||7||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||24||7
|-
|[[2000–01 Argentine Primera División|2000–01]]
|Argentine Primera División
|36||18||colspan=2|—||6||2||colspan=2|—||42||20
|-
|[[2001–02 Argentine Primera División|2001–02]]
|Argentine Primera División
|18||12||colspan=2|—||5||1||colspan=2|—||23||13
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!80!!37!!colspan=2|—!!11!!3!!colspan=2|—!!91!!40
|-
|rowspan=5|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|[[2001–02 Manchester United F.C. season|2001–02]]
|[[Premier League]]
|13||0||0||0||5||0||0||0||18||0
|-
|[[2002–03 Manchester United F.C. season|2002–03]]
|Premier League
|25||6||2||0||13||1||5||2||45||9
|-
|[[2003–04 Manchester United F.C. season|2003–04]]
|Premier League
|24||4||2||1||4||2||2||1||32||8
|-
|[[2004–05 Manchester United F.C. season|2004–05]]
|Premier League
|1||0||0||0||1||0||1||0||3||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!63!!10!!4!!1!!23!!3!!8!!3!!98!!17
|-
|rowspan=4|[[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]]
|[[2004–05 Villarreal CF season|2004–05]]
|[[La Liga]]
|38||25||1||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||39||25
|-
|[[2005–06 Villarreal CF season|2005–06]]
|La Liga
|32||10||2||0||13||3||colspan=2|—||47||13
|-
|[[2006–07 Villarreal CF season|2006–07]]
|La Liga
|36||19||4||1||2||1||colspan=2|—||42||21
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!106!!54!!7!!1!!15!!4!!colspan=2|—!!128!!59
|-
|rowspan=6|[[Atlético Madrid]]
|[[2007–08 Atlético Madrid season|2007–08]]
|La Liga
|36||16||6||1||11||6||colspan=2|—||53||23
|-
|[[2008–09 Atlético Madrid season|2008–09]]
|La Liga
|33||32||3||1||9||2||colspan=2|—||45||35
|-
|[[2009–10 Atlético Madrid season|2009–10]]
|La Liga
|33||18||6||3||17||7||colspan=2|—||56||28
|-
|[[2010–11 Atlético Madrid season|2010–11]]
|La Liga
|32||8||3||1||6||1||1||0||42||10
|-
|[[2011–12 Atlético Madrid season|2011–12]]
|La Liga
|0||0||0||0||2||0||0||0||2||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!134!!74!!18!!6!!45!!16!!1!!0!!198!!96
|-
|[[Inter Milan]]
|[[2011–12 Inter Milan season|2011–12]]
|[[Serie A]]
|18||2||0||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||20||2
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]]
|[[2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2012]]
|[[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|Série A]]
|19||5||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||19||5
|-
|[[2013 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2013]]
|Série A
|15||5||8||3||colspan=2|—||13||9||36||17
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!34!!10!!8!!3!!colspan=2|—!!13!!9!!55!!22
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Cerezo Osaka]]
|[[2014 J. League Division 1|2014]]
|[[J1 League]]
|26||7||2||0||6||2||colspan=2|—||34||9
|-
|[[2015 J. League Division 2|2015]]
|[[J2 League]]
|16||10||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||16||10
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!42!!17!!2!!0!!6!!2!!colspan=2|—!!50!!19
|-
|[[Peñarol]]
|[[2015–16 Uruguayan Primera División season|2015–16]]
|[[Uruguayan Primera División]]
|30||8||0||0||3||0||1||0||34||8
|-
|[[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]
|[[2016 Indian Super League|2016]]
|[[Indian Super League]]
|11||5||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||1||0||12||5
|-
|[[Kitchee]]
|[[2017–18 Hong Kong Premier League|2017–18]]
|[[Hong Kong Premier League]]
|7||5||2||1||5||0||0||0||14||6
|-
!colspan=3|Career total
!525!!222!!41!!12!!110!!28!!24!!12!!700!!274
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="autogeneratedcc"/><ref name="national-football-teams1">{{NFT player|id=7025|name=Forlán, Diego}}</ref>
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan=13|[[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]]
|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||9||1
|-
|2013||14||3
|-
|2014||5||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total||112||36
|}

:''Scores and results list Uruguay's goal tally first.''<ref name=rsssf>{{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}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Diego Forlán
! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
{{Ig match
| n =1
| d1=27 March 2002
| st=Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium | ci=Damman | co=Saudi Arabia
| o=Saudi Arabia
| sc=2–3
| fr=2–3
| comp=[[Exhibition game|Friendly]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =2
| d1=11 June 2002
| st=Suwon World Cup Stadium| ci=Suwon | co=South Korea
| o=Senegal
| sc=2–3
| fr=3–3
| comp=[[2002 FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =3
| d1=28 March 2003
| st=National Stadium (Tokyo) | ci=Tokyo | co=Japan
| o=Japan
| sc=1–0
| fr=2–2
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =4
| d1=20 August 2003
| st=Stadio Artemio Franchi | ci=Florence | co=Italy
| o=Argentina
| sc=1–0
| fr=2–3
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =5
| d1=7 September 2003
| st=Estadio Centenario | ci=Montevideo | co=Uruguay
| o=Bolivia
| sc=1–0
| fr=5–0
| comp=[[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =6
| d1=19 November 2003
| st=Pinheirão | ci=Curitiba | co=Brazil
| o=Brazil
| sc=1–2
| fr=3–3
| comp=2006 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =7
| d1=19 November 2003
| st=Pinheirão | ci=Curitiba | co=Brazil
| o=Brazil
| sc=2–2
| fr=3–3
| comp=2006 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =8
| d1=1 June 2004
| st=Estadio Centenario | ci=Montevideo | co=Uruguay
| o=Peru
| sc=1–3
| fr=1–3
| comp=2006 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =9
| d1=10 July 2004
| st=Estadio Elías Aguirre | ci=Chiclayo | co=Peru
| o=Ecuador
| sc=1–0
| fr=2–1
| comp=[[2004 Copa América]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =10
| d1=30 March 2005
| st=Estadio Centenario | ci=Montevideo | co=Uruguay
| o=Brazil
| sc=1–0
| fr=1–1
| comp=2006 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =11
| d1=4 June 2005
| st=Estadio José Pachencho Romero | ci=Maracaibo | co=Venezuela
| o=Venezuela
| sc=1–0
| fr=1–1
| comp=2006 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =12
| d1=2 June 2007
| st=Telstra Stadium | ci=Sydney | co=Australia
| o=Australia
| sc=1–1
| fr=2–1
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =13
| d1=7 July 2007
| st=Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo | ci=San Cristóbal | co=Venezuela
| o=Venezuela
| sc=1–0
| fr=4–1
| comp=[[2007 Copa América]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =14
| d1=7 July 2007
| st=Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo | ci=San Cristóbal | co=Venezuela
| o=Venezuela
| sc=4–1
| fr=4–1
| comp=2007 Copa América}}
{{Ig match
| n =15
| d1=10 July 2007
| st=Estadio José Pachencho Romero | ci=Maracaibo | co=Venezuela
| o=Brazil
| sc=1–1
| fr=2–2
| comp=2007 Copa América}}
{{Ig match
| n =16
| d1=13 October 2007
| st=Estadio Centenario | ci=Montevideo | co=Uruguay
| o=Bolivia
| sc=2–0
| fr=5–0
| comp=[[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =17
| d1=17 June 2008
| st=Estadio Centenario | ci=Montevideo | co=Uruguay
| o=Peru
| sc=1–0
| fr=6–0
| comp=2010 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =18
| d1=17 June 2008
| st=Estadio Centenario | ci=Montevideo | co=Uruguay
| o=Peru
| sc=2–0
| fr=6–0
| comp=2010 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =19
| d1=17 June 2008
| st=Estadio Centenario | ci=Montevideo | co=Uruguay
| o=Peru
| sc=3–0
| fr=6–0
| comp=2010 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =20
| d1=28 March 2009
| st=Estadio Centenario | ci=Montevideo | co=Uruguay
| o=Paraguay
| sc=1–0
| fr=2–0
| comp=2010 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =21
| d1=10 June 2009
| st=Polideportivo Cachamay | ci=Ciudad Guayana | co=Venezuela
| o=Venezuela
| sc=2–1
| fr=2–2
| comp=2010 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =22
| d1=10 October 2009
| st=Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa | ci=Quito | co=Ecuador
| o=Ecuador
| sc=2–1
| fr=2–1
| comp=2010 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =23
| d1=3 March 2010
| st=AFG Arena | ci=St. Gallen | co=Switzerland
| o=Switzerland
| sc=1–1
| fr=3–1
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =24
| d1=27 May 2010
| st=Estadio Centenario | ci=Montevideo | co=Uruguay
| o=Israel
| sc=1–0
| fr=4–1
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =25
| d1=16 June 2010
| st=Loftus Versfeld Stadium | ci=Pretoria | co=South Africa
| o=South Africa
| sc=1–0
| fr=3–0
| comp=[[2010 FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =26
| d1=16 June 2010
| st=Loftus Versfeld Stadium | ci=Pretoria | co=South Africa
| o=South Africa
| sc=2–0
| fr=3–0
| comp=2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Ig match
| n =27
| d1=2 July 2010
| st=Soccer City | ci=Johannesburg | co=South Africa
| o=Ghana
| sc=1–1
| fr=1–1
| comp=2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Ig match
| n =28
| d1=6 July 2010
| st=Cape Town Stadium | ci=Cape Town | co=South Africa
| o=Netherlands
| sc=1–1
| fr=2–3
| comp=2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Ig match
| n =29
| d1=10 July 2010
| st=Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium | ci=Port Elizabeth | co=South Africa
| o=Germany
| sc=2–1
| fr=2–3
| comp=2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Ig match
| n =30
| d1=24 July 2011
| st=Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti | ci=Buenos Aires | co=Argentina
| o=Paraguay
| sc=2–0
| fr=3–0
| comp=[[2011 Copa América]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =31
| d1=24 July 2011
| st=Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti | ci=Buenos Aires | co=Argentina
| o=Paraguay
| sc=3–0
| fr=3–0
| comp=2011 Copa América}}
{{Ig match
| n =32
| d1=11 October 2011
| st=Estadio Defensores del Chaco | ci=Asunción | co=Paraguay
| o=Paraguay
| sc=1–0
| fr=1–1
| comp=[[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2014 FIFA World Cup qualification]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =33
| d1=2 June 2012
| st=Estadio Centenario | ci=Montevideo | co=Uruguay
| o=Venezuela
| sc=1–0
| fr=1–1
| comp=2014 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =34
| d1=20 June 2013
| st=Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova | ci=Salvador | co=Brazil
| o=Nigeria
| sc=2–1
| fr=2–1
| comp=[[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =35
| d1=14 August 2013
| st=Miyagi Stadium | ci=Sendai | co=Japan
| o=Japan
| sc=1–0
| fr=4–2
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =36
| d1=14 August 2013
| st=Miyagi Stadium | ci=Sendai | co=Japan
| o=Japan
| sc=2–0
| fr=4–2
| comp=Friendly}}
|}

===Managerial statistics===
{{updated|match played 15 September 2021}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"	
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure			
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Nat
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="8"|Record	
|-	
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}
!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
!{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}
!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}			
|-
|align=left|[[Peñarol]]
|{{flagicon|Uruguay}}
|align=left|20 December 2019
|align=left|31 August 2020
{{WDL|11|4|3|4|for=12|against=12|diff=yes}}		
|-
|align=left|[[Atenas de San Carlos|Atenas]]
|{{flagicon|Uruguay}}
|align=left|17 March 2021
|align=left|16 September 2021
{{WDL|12|4|5|3|for=16|against=8|diff=yes}}
|-align=center
!colspan="4"|Total
{{WDLtot|23|8|8|7|for=28|against=20|diff=yes}}	
|}

==Honours==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

'''Manchester United'''<ref name="PremProfile">{{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}}</ref><ref name=efe>{{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}}</ref>
*[[Premier League]]: [[2002–03 FA Premier League|2002–03]]
*[[FA Cup]]: [[2003–04 FA Cup|2003–04]]
*[[FA Community Shield]]: [[2003 FA Community Shield|2003]]

'''Villarreal'''<ref name=efe/>
*[[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]: [[2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup|2004]]

'''Atlético Madrid'''<ref name="guardian">{{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}}</ref>
*[[UEFA Europa League]]: [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League|2009–10]]
*[[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2010 UEFA Super Cup|2010]]

'''Internacional'''<ref name="guardian"/>
*[[Campeonato Gaúcho]]: [[2013 Campeonato Gaúcho|2013]]

'''Peñarol'''<ref name="guardian"/>
*[[Uruguayan Primera División|Primera División]]: [[2015–16 Uruguayan Primera División season|2015–16]]

'''Kitchee'''<ref>{{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}}</ref>
*[[Hong Kong Premier League]]: [[2017–18 Hong Kong Premier League|2017–18]]
{{col-2}}

'''Uruguay'''<ref name="guardian"/>
*[[Copa América]]: [[2011 Copa América|2011]]

'''Individual'''
*[[Trofeo EFE|La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year]]: [[Trofeo EFE|2004–05]]<ref name=efe/>
*[[Pichichi Trophy]]: [[2004–05 La Liga#Pichichi Trophy|2004–05]], [[2008–09 La Liga#Pichichi Trophy|2008–09]]<ref name="guardian"/>
*[[European Golden Shoe]]: 2004–05,{{refn|group=note|In 2004–05, Forlán shared the [[European Golden Shoe]] with [[Thierry Henry]].}} 2008–09<ref name="guardian"/>
*UEFA Europa League Final Man of The Match: [[2010 UEFA Europa League Final|2010]]<ref>{{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}}</ref>
*[[Golden Ball (FIFA)|FIFA World Cup Golden Ball]]: [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]]<ref name="wc2010">{{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}}</ref>
*[[FIFA World Cup awards#Goal of the Tournament|FIFA World Cup Goal of the Tournament]]: 2010
*[[FIFA World Cup top goalscorers|FIFA World Cup top goalscorer]]: [[2010 FIFA World Cup#Goalscorers|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 [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Boot|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 awards#All-Star Team|FIFA World Cup Dream Team]]: [[2010 FIFA World Cup#Dream Team|2010]]<ref>{{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}}</ref>
*Campeonato Gaúcho top goalscorer: 2013<ref name="guardian"/>
*[[IFFHS]] Uruguayan Men's Dream Team (Team B)<ref>{{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}}</ref>
{{col-end}}

==See also==
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps|List of footballers with 100 or more caps]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{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}}

{{Navboxes
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{{Uruguay squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Uruguay squad 2004 Copa América}}
{{Uruguay squad 2007 Copa América}}
{{Uruguay squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Uruguay squad 2011 Copa América}}
{{Uruguay squad 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Uruguay squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
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{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
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{{2010 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{FIFA World Cup Golden Ball}}
{{European Golden Shoe}}
{{La Liga top scorers}}
{{Trofeo EFE}}
{{Campeonato Gaúcho top scorers}}
}}
{{C.A. Peñarol managers}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Forlan, Diego}}
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