Legends of international football: Diego Forlan

Diego Forlan

Strikers, what we’d give to be them? Blazing past hapless defenders, beating the advancing goal-keepers with a beautiful touch, and then finally blasting the ball past them to tear the net apart.

Strikers are and always have been the poster boys of their football team, appearing on commercials and posters outside stadiums, lifting the team’s morale in times of adversity and subduing fan’s anguish in times of loss. If football is considered a religion rather than a sport, then the strikers would more often than not be the deities of worship. Ask a child who they support in a team, and the answer will most probably be a strikers name.

When I started following football, I started with World Cups and European Championships. International competitions have always fascinated me and have made me the football fan I’m today. The perfect footballer for me is one who is prolific at both the club level and the international scene, because the service to a nation is greater than any personal victory at the club level.

International legends are those who have served the nation with utmost pride and passion, and an undying lust to win. They are the beacons that have guided their nation to victory almost every time they stepped onto the field, and supported the team with unparalleled love in times when they missed the match, without a feeling of regret.

One of those gems of international football is undoubtedly Diego Forlan- the striker, ex-captain and poster boy of Uruguayan football. This brilliant footballer from Montevideo is the focus of this piece.

Born on 19 May, 1979 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Diego Forlan is the most capped Uruguayan player and is one of the world’s best strikers. Forlan is the son of former Uruguay international Pablo Forlan.

Forlan started as a tennis player in his youth, but decided to follow into his father’s profession to earn more money for his sister, who was involved in a horrific accident that paralysed her for life.

Diego Forlan started his career as a footballer at the age of 16 when he was brought to France by manager Lazlo Boloni. He thereafter tried for the AS Nancy team. Fortunately/unfortunately, Nancy decided against signing him, and he went back to South America to pursue his newly found interests.

His return to South America was followed by his signing for Argentinian side Independiente. He excelled as a striker there, scoring a respectable 36 goals in 77 league games. His flair for goals attracted interest from English and European sides, and in the winter of 2002, he finally got his dream move to England when Independiente agreed a £6.9 million deal with Middlesbrough.

He travelled to England expecting to sign with Middlesbrough, but at the last minute Manchester United offered Independiente a down-payment of £6.9 million, and offered a more lucrative deal to Forlan, and he signed for the English giants.

Forlan made his United debut on January 29, 2002, as a substitute, and made his first start on March 6. He made 18 appearances in 01-2002 season, but failed to score.

He scored his first United goal, a penalty, in the 5-2 win against Haifa in September 2002. He wasn’t at his peak during his time at United, having scored only 17 goals in 98 appearances. His dismal form forced United into selling him, and what came next for the Uruguayan was some magnificent goal-scoring streak and a brilliant career revival.

Forlan was linked to Spanish clubs Levante and Athletic Bilbao, but he signed for Villarreal in the summer of 2004. He played some beautiful football to help Villarreal secure their first Champions League finish in their history, with a third place finish in the league.

He finished the season winning the 2004–05 Pichichi Trophy for most goals in La Liga, with 25. That season also saw him share the European Golden Boot with Arsenal hitman Thierry Henry. His influence started to wane in the 05-2006 season, but helped Villarreal to a respectable semi-finals finish in the Champions League.

Diego Forlan has been the catalyst for his national team for over a decade now

Following the departure of Atletico Madrid’s club captain Fernando Torres to Liverpool in the summer of 2007, Madrid agreed to a fee of €21 million with Villarreal for the signature of Forlan.

His first season in Madrid was perhaps his best, as he helped his side qualify for the Champions League for the first time in a decade as he scored the late winner against Deportivo. He ended the season with a brilliant 23 goals, forming a potent partnership with Argentinian international Sergio Aguero. The coming seasons for him proved to be extremely profitable as he ended his time with Atletico with an impressive 96 goals in 197 appearances, and also winning his second Pichichi award and his second Golden Boot.

Following his magnificent goal scoring form and his immense contributions to Atletico winning so many cups, it was speculated that he would join a new club in the summer of 2011. He finally signed for Inter Milan for an undisclosed fee following the departure of Inter striker Samuel Eto’o.

Forlan was committed to Inter, and when quizzed about his loyalty, he had this to say:

“I want to stay at Inter. You haven’t seen the real Forlan 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”.

His time for Inter is remembered as one of his career’s lowest as he struggled in the Italian league to score goals whilst being the star man there, and he ended his contract with them, in his contract’s final year. He declared that his poor form was because he was played out of position.

In July 2012, he signed for Brazilian side Internacional, and has been playing there ever since. His goal tally so far reads : 19 goals in 40 appearances.

Forlan, no matter how two-sided his club history may seem, has always been one of the best from South America, and definitely the best in Uruguay, before the rise of Suarez and Cavani. His time as a striker for Uruguay has been fruitful, having scored 34 goals in 101 appearances.

He always wore his heart on his sleeve, played with passion and an undying respect for the opposition. His professionalism is unmatched, and the China Daily had this to say about him -

“Diego Forlan is a man with a brilliant past and above anything, it has to do with his huge professionalism.”

Forlan made his Uruguay debut in March 2002. Coincidentally, it came along with his first start for United where he impressed his national selectors and manager. He scored his first goal in a friendly against Saudi Arabia in a 3-2 win.

Since his dream debut, he has become a national hero. Forlan is perhaps one of the best footballers to come out of Uruguay, and is currently the most capped player. He is also the record goal-scorer for his national team. He has scored goals against some of the best teams in world football, including Brazil and Germany.

He often featured in the starting XI for Uruguay since his fantastic run in the 2004 Copa America. He was also responsible for Uruguay winning the 2011 Copa America. He recently made his 100th appearance for Uruguay in the recently concluded Confederations Cup against Nigeria, and scored a brilliant left-footed goal.

His contributions for Uruguay at the national level have left many players and fans spell bound. His skill, till today, is unmatched. His ghostly runs, pile-driving shots and accurate free-kicks have won Uruguay many crucial matches. He is one of the most trusted performers, and rest assured, when this man walks onto the pitch, the level of football will most certainly rise meteorically.

His fans will pit him against Brazil’s Ronaldo without a second thought, and his critics will say he is living on his past reputation but the fact remains that this man never stops trying. His work rate is commendable and his contributions immeasurable.

A founding member of Fundación Alejandra Forlan, headed by his sister, Forlan is outspoken on the perils of dangerous driving. Diego Maradona met Forlan’s father during that time, and helped him raise funds for his daughter’s treatment.

She became an integral part of his inspiration to play football, and the whole family has gathered round to make sure the foundation is given as high a profile as his in Uruguay. When asked whether his sister is proud that he was the best player of the World Cup in 2010, he simply said:

“God has made this possible, that’s why I always make a cross when I walk onto the pitch, my sister is obviously very proud of this achievement, and is very happy with my performances”.

Such is the humility of the man, his pride never gets in the way of his performances, and it never will.

Diego Forlan is a born striker who has an inherent sense of scoring terrific goals. He likes to play in the hole behind the striker and support the midfield making opportunities for others and taking them as well.

He possesses leadership skills and is a big motivator for the whole team. Even when down he brings that extra bit of spirit that can change the course of a game. Humble and kind, he has never gotten himself into controversies, he has stayed disciplined on and off the pitch at all times. He is a true legend, a legend who should never been forgotten. Here’s saluting one of the game’s greatest!