Diego Forlán

Date of birth19 May 1979
Place of birthMontevideo
NationalityUruguayan
Weight74 kg
Height1.73 m
PositionForward

His father played international football and Diego Forlán was a tennis player of note in his youth.

He began his football with Peñarol and Danubio before moving to Argentina and Independiente breaking into the first team in 1998, where his goal scoring record led to a three-way fight for his signature between Manchester United, Middlesbrough and Lazio.

He finally joined Manchester United for £7million but initially struggled to hold down a first team place.

He played no part in World Cup Qualification and won his first cap in March 2002 against Saudi Arabia where he scored a debut goal.

Diego took his chance in the 2002 World Cup finals when coming on against Senegal. With Uruguay 0-3 down, he scored with a spectacular volley from the edge of the box as Uruguay fought back to draw their final Group A game.

The Uruguayan striker was a crowd favourite at Manchester United, but was not a consistent goalscorer, failing to hold down a regular place, but not through lack of effort.

Nevertheless acquired legendary status with two goals at Liverpool.

Subsequently he enjoyed great success in the Spanish League.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Independiente 01 Jul 1998 22 Jan 2002
Manchester United 22 Jan 2002 21 Aug 2004
Villarreal 21 Aug 2004 01 Jul 2007
Atletico Madrid 01 Jul 2007 29 Aug 2011
Internazionale 29 Aug 2011 30 Jun 2012
Internacional Porto Alegre 01 Jul 2012 22 Jan 2014
Cerezo Osaka 22 Jan 2014

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
2001-02 Manchester United Premier League 6
7
2001-02 Manchester United UEFA Champions League 1
4
2002-03 Manchester United FA Cup
2
2002-03 Manchester United League Cup 3
2
2
2002-03 Manchester United Premier League 7
18
6
2
2002-03 Manchester United UEFA Champions League 5
8
1
2003-04 Manchester United FA Community Shield
1
2003-04 Manchester United FA Cup 2
1
2003-04 Manchester United League Cup 1
1
1
2003-04 Manchester United Premier League 10
14
4
2
2003-04 Manchester United UEFA Champions League 2
2
2
2004-05 Manchester United FA Community Shield
1
2004-05 Manchester United Premier League
1
2004-05 Manchester United UEFA Champions League
1
2004-05 Villarreal Primera Liga 34
4
25
4
2005-06 Villarreal UEFA Champions League 5
1
1
2007-08 Atletico Madrid UEFA Cup 2
2008-09 Atletico Madrid UEFA Champions League 2
2009-10 Atletico Madrid UEFA Champions League 2
2009-10 Atletico Madrid UEFA Europa League 3
4
2
2010-11 Atletico Madrid UEFA Super Cup 1
2011-12 Atletico Madrid UEFA Europa League 2
2011-12 Internazionale UEFA Champions League 2


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

Club matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
29 Jan 2002 Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United W 0-4 Premier League
02 Feb 2002 Manchester United v Sunderland W 4-1 Premier League
10 Feb 2002 Charlton Athletic v Manchester United W 0-2 Premier League
20 Feb 2002 Nantes v Manchester United D 1-1 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group A
26 Feb 2002 Manchester United v Nantes W 5-1 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group A
03 Mar 2002 Derby County v Manchester United D 2-2 Premier League
06 Mar 2002 Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur W 4-0 Premier League
13 Mar 2002 Manchester United v Bayern Munchen D 0-0 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group A
16 Mar 2002 West Ham United v Manchester United W 3-5 Premier League
19 Mar 2002 Boavista v Manchester United W 0-3 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group A
23 Mar 2002 Manchester United v Middlesbrough L 0-1 Premier League
30 Mar 2002 Leeds United v Manchester United W 3-4 Premier League
06 Apr 2002 Leicester City v Manchester United W 0-1 Premier League
20 Apr 2002 Chelsea v Manchester United W 0-3 Premier League
27 Apr 2002 Ipswich Town v Manchester United W 0-1 Premier League
30 Apr 2002 Bayer Leverkusen v Manchester United D 1-1
Agg: 3-3
UEFA Champions League Semi-final 2nd leg
08 May 2002 Manchester United v Arsenal L 0-1 Premier League
11 May 2002 Manchester United v Charlton Athletic D 0-0 Premier League
14 Aug 2002 Zalaegerszegi TE v Manchester United L 1-0 UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round 1st leg
17 Aug 2002 Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion W 1-0 Premier League
23 Aug 2002 Chelsea v Manchester United D 2-2 Premier League
27 Aug 2002 Manchester United v Zalaegerszegi TE W 5-0
Agg: 5-1
UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round 2nd leg
31 Aug 2002 Sunderland v Manchester United D 1-1 Premier League
03 Sep 2002 Manchester United v Middlesbrough W 1-0 Premier League
11 Sep 2002 Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers L 0-1 Premier League
14 Sep 2002 Leeds United v Manchester United L 1-0 Premier League
18 Sep 2002 Manchester United v Maccabi Haifa W 5-2 UEFA Champions League Group F
21 Sep 2002 Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur W 1-0 Premier League
24 Sep 2002 Bayer Leverkusen v Manchester United W 1-2 UEFA Champions League Group F
28 Sep 2002 Charlton Athletic v Manchester United W 1-3 Premier League
01 Oct 2002 Manchester United v Olympiakos W 4-0 UEFA Champions League Group F
07 Oct 2002 Manchester United v Everton W 3-0 Premier League
19 Oct 2002 Fulham v Manchester United D 1-1 Premier League
23 Oct 2002 Olympiakos v Manchester United W 2-3 UEFA Champions League Group F
26 Oct 2002 Manchester United v Aston Villa D 1-1 Premier League
29 Oct 2002 Maccabi Haifa v Manchester United L 3-0 UEFA Champions League Group F
02 Nov 2002 Manchester United v Southampton W 2-1 Premier League
05 Nov 2002 Manchester United v Leicester City W 2-0 League Cup 3rd round
09 Nov 2002 Manchester City v Manchester United L 3-1 Premier League
23 Nov 2002 Manchester United v Newcastle United W 5-3 Premier League
26 Nov 2002 FC Basel v Manchester United W 1-3 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group D
01 Dec 2002 Liverpool v Manchester United W 1-2 Premier League
03 Dec 2002 Burnley v Manchester United W 0-2 League Cup 4th round
11 Dec 2002 Manchester United v Deportivo La Coruña W 2-0 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group D
14 Dec 2002 Manchester United v West Ham United W 3-0 Premier League
17 Dec 2002 Manchester United v Chelsea W 1-0 League Cup 5th round
22 Dec 2002 Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United L 1-0 Premier League
28 Dec 2002 Manchester United v Birmingham City W 2-0 Premier League
01 Jan 2003 Manchester United v Sunderland W 2-1 Premier League
07 Jan 2003 Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers D 1-1 League Cup Semi-final 1st leg
11 Jan 2003 West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United W 1-3 Premier League
18 Jan 2003 Manchester United v Chelsea W 2-1 Premier League
22 Jan 2003 Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United W 1-3
Agg: 2-4
League Cup Semi-final 2nd leg
26 Jan 2003 Manchester United v West Ham United W 6-0 FA Cup 4th round
01 Feb 2003 Southampton v Manchester United W 0-2 Premier League
15 Feb 2003 Manchester United v Arsenal L 0-2 FA Cup 5th round
19 Feb 2003 Manchester United v Juventus W 2-1 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group D
22 Feb 2003 Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United D 1-1 Premier League
25 Feb 2003 Juventus v Manchester United W 0-3 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group D
12 Mar 2003 Manchester United v FC Basel D 1-1 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group D
18 Mar 2003 Deportivo La Coruña v Manchester United L 2-0 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group D
12 Apr 2003 Newcastle United v Manchester United W 2-6 Premier League
03 May 2003 Manchester United v Charlton Athletic W 4-1 Premier League
10 Aug 2003 Manchester United v Arsenal W 1-1 (4-3) FA Community Shield
16 Aug 2003 Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers W 4-0 Premier League
23 Aug 2003 Newcastle United v Manchester United W 1-2 Premier League
27 Aug 2003 Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers W 1-0 Premier League
31 Aug 2003 Southampton v Manchester United L 1-0 Premier League
21 Sep 2003 Manchester United v Arsenal D 0-0 Premier League
27 Sep 2003 Leicester City v Manchester United W 1-4 Premier League
01 Oct 2003 VfB Stuttgart v Manchester United L 2-1 UEFA Champions League Group E
04 Oct 2003 Manchester United v Birmingham City W 3-0 Premier League
18 Oct 2003 Leeds United v Manchester United W 0-1 Premier League
25 Oct 2003 Manchester United v Fulham L 1-3 Premier League
28 Oct 2003 Leeds United v Manchester United W 2-3 League Cup 3rd round
01 Nov 2003 Manchester United v Portsmouth W 3-0 Premier League
04 Nov 2003 Manchester United v Rangers W 3-0 UEFA Champions League Group E
09 Nov 2003 Liverpool v Manchester United W 1-2 Premier League
22 Nov 2003 Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers W 2-1 Premier League
26 Nov 2003 Panathinaikos v Manchester United W 0-1 UEFA Champions League Group E
30 Nov 2003 Chelsea v Manchester United L 1-0 Premier League
06 Dec 2003 Manchester United v Aston Villa W 4-0 Premier League
09 Dec 2003 Manchester United v VfB Stuttgart W 2-0 UEFA Champions League Group E
26 Dec 2003 Manchester United v Everton W 3-2 Premier League
04 Jan 2004 Aston Villa v Manchester United W 1-2 FA Cup 3rd round
11 Jan 2004 Manchester United v Newcastle United D 0-0 Premier League
17 Jan 2004 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United L 1-0 Premier League
25 Jan 2004 Northampton Town v Manchester United W 0-3 FA Cup 4th round
11 Feb 2004 Manchester United v Middlesbrough L 2-3 Premier League
28 Feb 2004 Fulham v Manchester United D 1-1 Premier League
14 Mar 2004 Manchester City v Manchester United L 4-1 Premier League
20 Mar 2004 Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur W 3-0 Premier League
10 Apr 2004 Birmingham City v Manchester United W 1-2 Premier League
13 Apr 2004 Manchester United v Leicester City W 1-0 Premier League
01 May 2004 Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United L 1-0 Premier League
08 Aug 2004 Arsenal v Manchester United L 3-1 FA Community Shield
11 Aug 2004 Dinamo Bucuresti v Manchester United W 1-2 UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round 1st leg
15 Aug 2004 Chelsea v Manchester United L 1-0 Premier League


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1998-99 Uruguay World Youth Cup 12
2
1
2001-02 Uruguay FIFA World Cup
1
1
2001-02 Uruguay International Friendly 1
2
1
2001-02 Uruguay Tiger Beer Challenge Trophy 1
2002-03 Uruguay International Friendly 2
1
2003-04 Uruguay Copa America 4
2
2003-04 Uruguay FIFA World Cup 5
2
4
1
2003-04 Uruguay International Friendly 2
1
2004-05 Uruguay FIFA World Cup 4
1
2
2005-06 Uruguay FIFA World Cup 3
1
2005-06 Uruguay International Friendly 2
1
2006-07 Uruguay Copa America 6
3
2
2006-07 Uruguay International Friendly 3
1
2007-08 Uruguay FIFA World Cup 6
4
2007-08 Uruguay International Friendly 2
2008-09 Uruguay FIFA World Cup 4
2
2
2008-09 Uruguay International Friendly 1
2009-10 Uruguay FIFA World Cup 12
6
2009-10 Uruguay International Friendly 2
2
2010-11 Uruguay Copa America 6
2
2010-11 Uruguay International Friendly 7
2011-12 Uruguay FIFA World Cup 4
2
2011-12 Uruguay International Friendly 2
2012-13 Uruguay FIFA Confederations Cup 3
1
1
2012-13 Uruguay FIFA World Cup 6
1
2012-13 Uruguay International Friendly 2
1
2013-14 Uruguay FIFA World Cup 3
3
2013-14 Uruguay International Friendly 4
2


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
06 Jan 1999 Uruguay v Colombia W 1-0 World Youth Cup CONMEBOL Under 20 qualifying
10 Jan 1999 Bolivia v Uruguay W 1-7 World Youth Cup CONMEBOL Under 20 qualifying
12 Jan 1999 Uruguay v Paraguay L 0-2 World Youth Cup CONMEBOL Under 20 qualifying
14 Jan 1999 Brazil v Uruguay D 0-0 World Youth Cup CONMEBOL Under 20 qualifying
17 Jan 1999 Argentina v Uruguay W 0-1 World Youth Cup CONMEBOL Under 20 qualifying
19 Jan 1999 Chile v Uruguay W 1-2 World Youth Cup CONMEBOL Under 20 qualifying
23 Jan 1999 Paraguay v Uruguay L 1-0 World Youth Cup CONMEBOL Under 20 qualifying
25 Jan 1999 Uruguay v Brazil D 2-2 World Youth Cup CONMEBOL Under 20 qualifying
14 Apr 1999 Uruguay v Paraguay W 2-2 (10-9) World Youth Cup 2nd round
18 Apr 1999 Uruguay v Brazil W 2-1 World Youth Cup Quarter-final
21 Apr 1999 Japan v Uruguay L 2-1 World Youth Cup Semi-final
24 Apr 1999 Mali v Uruguay L 1-0 World Youth Cup
27 Mar 2002 Saudi Arabia v Uruguay L 3-2 International Friendly
17 Apr 2002 Italy v Uruguay D 1-1 International Friendly
16 May 2002 China PR v Uruguay W 0-2 International Friendly
21 May 2002 Singapore v Uruguay W 1-2 TIGER BEER CHALLENGE TROPHY
11 Jun 2002 Senegal v Uruguay D 3-3 FIFA World Cup Finals Group A
28 Mar 2003 Japan v Uruguay D 2-2 International Friendly
08 Jun 2003 Korea Republic v Uruguay W 0-2 International Friendly
20 Aug 2003 Uruguay v Argentina L 2-3 International Friendly
07 Sep 2003 Uruguay v Bolivia W 5-0 FIFA World Cup South America
10 Sep 2003 Paraguay v Uruguay L 4-1 FIFA World Cup South America
15 Nov 2003 Uruguay v Chile W 2-1 FIFA World Cup South America
18 Nov 2003 Brazil v Uruguay D 3-3 FIFA World Cup South America
18 Feb 2004 Jamaica v Uruguay L 2-0 International Friendly
31 Mar 2004 Uruguay v Venezuela L 0-3 FIFA World Cup South America
01 Jun 2004 Uruguay v Peru L 1-3 FIFA World Cup South America
06 Jun 2004 Colombia v Uruguay L 5-0 FIFA World Cup South America
07 Jul 2004 Mexico v Uruguay D 2-2 Copa America Group B
10 Jul 2004 Uruguay v Ecuador W 2-1 Copa America Group B
13 Jul 2004 Argentina v Uruguay L 4-2 Copa America Group B
18 Jul 2004 Paraguay v Uruguay W 1-3 Copa America Quarter-final
21 Jul 2004 Brazil v Uruguay L 1-1 (3-5) Copa America Semi-final
24 Jul 2004 Colombia v Uruguay W 1-2 Copa America 3rd place
09 Oct 2004 Argentina v Uruguay L 4-2 FIFA World Cup South America
26 Mar 2005 Chile v Uruguay D 1-1 FIFA World Cup South America
30 Mar 2005 Uruguay v Brazil D 1-1 FIFA World Cup South America
04 Jun 2005 Venezuela v Uruguay D 1-1 FIFA World Cup South America
07 Jun 2005 Peru v Uruguay D 0-0 FIFA World Cup South America
17 Aug 2005 Spain v Uruguay L 2-0 International Friendly
04 Sep 2005 Uruguay v Colombia W 3-2 FIFA World Cup South America
08 Oct 2005 Ecuador v Uruguay D 0-0 FIFA World Cup South America
12 Oct 2005 Uruguay v Argentina W 1-0 FIFA World Cup South America
12 Nov 2005 Uruguay v Australia W 1-0 FIFA World Cup Oceania / SA play-off
01 Mar 2006 England v Uruguay L 2-1 International Friendly
16 Aug 2006 Egypt v Uruguay W 0-2 International Friendly
15 Nov 2006 Georgia v Uruguay L 2-0 International Friendly
01 Jun 2007 Australia v Uruguay W 1-2 International Friendly
26 Jun 2007 Peru v Uruguay L 3-0 Copa America Group A
30 Jun 2007 Bolivia v Uruguay W 0-1 Copa America Group A
03 Jul 2007 Venezuela v Uruguay D 0-0 Copa America Group A
07 Jul 2007 Venezuela v Uruguay W 1-4 Copa America Quarter-final
10 Jul 2007 Brazil v Uruguay L 2-2 (4-5) Copa America Semi-final
14 Jul 2007 Mexico v Uruguay L 3-1 Copa America 3rd place play-off
13 Oct 2007 Uruguay v Bolivia W 5-0 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
17 Oct 2007 Paraguay v Uruguay L 1-0 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
06 Feb 2008 Uruguay v Colombia D 2-2 International Friendly
28 May 2008 Norway v Uruguay D 2-2 International Friendly
14 Jun 2008 Uruguay v Venezuela D 1-1 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
17 Jun 2008 Uruguay v Peru W 6-0 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
06 Sep 2008 Colombia v Uruguay W 0-1 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
10 Sep 2008 Uruguay v Ecuador D 0-0 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
19 Nov 2008 France v Uruguay D 0-0 International Friendly
28 Mar 2009 Uruguay v Paraguay W 2-0 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
01 Apr 2009 Chile v Uruguay D 0-0 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
06 Jun 2009 Uruguay v Brazil L 0-4 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
10 Jun 2009 Venezuela v Uruguay D 2-2 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
09 Sep 2009 Uruguay v Colombia W 3-1 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
10 Oct 2009 Ecuador v Uruguay W 1-2 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
14 Oct 2009 Uruguay v Argentina L 0-1 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
14 Nov 2009 Costa Rica v Uruguay W 0-1 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF/CONMEBOL play-off
18 Nov 2009 Uruguay v Costa Rica D 1-1 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF/CONMEBOL play-off
03 Mar 2010 Switzerland v Uruguay W 1-3 International Friendly
26 May 2010 Uruguay v Israel W 4-1 International Friendly
11 Jun 2010 Uruguay v France D 0-0 FIFA World Cup Finals Group A
16 Jun 2010 South Africa v Uruguay W 0-3 FIFA World Cup Finals Group A
22 Jun 2010 Mexico v Uruguay W 0-1 FIFA World Cup Finals Group A
26 Jun 2010 Uruguay v Korea Republic W 2-1 FIFA World Cup Finals - Round of 16
02 Jul 2010 Uruguay v Ghana W 1-1 (4-2) FIFA World Cup Quarter-final
06 Jul 2010 Netherlands v Uruguay L 3-2 FIFA World Cup Semi-final
10 Jul 2010 Uruguay v Germany L 2-3 FIFA World Cup Finals 3rd place
12 Oct 2010 China PR v Uruguay W 0-4 International Friendly
17 Nov 2010 Chile v Uruguay L 2-0 International Friendly
25 Mar 2011 Estonia v Uruguay L 2-0 International Friendly
29 Mar 2011 Republic of Ireland v Uruguay W 2-3 International Friendly
29 May 2011 Germany v Uruguay L 2-1 International Friendly
08 Jun 2011 Uruguay v Netherlands D 1-1 International Friendly
23 Jun 2011 Uruguay v Estonia W 3-0 International Friendly
04 Jul 2011 Uruguay v Peru D 1-1 Copa America Group C
08 Jul 2011 Uruguay v Chile D 1-1 Copa America Group C
12 Jul 2011 Uruguay v Mexico W 1-0 Copa America Group C
16 Jul 2011 Argentina v Uruguay W 1-1 (5-4) Copa America Quarter-final
19 Jul 2011 Peru v Uruguay W 0-2 Copa America Semi-final
24 Jul 2011 Uruguay v Paraguay W 3-0 Copa America Final
07 Oct 2011 Uruguay v Bolivia W 4-2 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
11 Oct 2011 Paraguay v Uruguay D 1-1 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
29 Feb 2012 Romania v Uruguay D 1-1 International Friendly
25 May 2012 Russia v Uruguay D 1-1 International Friendly
02 Jun 2012 Uruguay v Venezuela D 1-1 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
10 Jun 2012 Uruguay v Peru W 4-2 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
15 Aug 2012 France v Uruguay D 0-0 International Friendly
07 Sep 2012 Colombia v Uruguay L 4-0 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
11 Sep 2012 Uruguay v Ecuador D 1-1 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
12 Oct 2012 Argentina v Uruguay L 3-0 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
16 Oct 2012 Bolivia v Uruguay L 4-1 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
06 Feb 2013 Spain v Uruguay L 3-1 International Friendly
22 Mar 2013 Uruguay v Paraguay D 1-1 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
26 Mar 2013 Chile v Uruguay L 2-0 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
05 Jun 2013 Uruguay v France W 1-0 International Friendly
11 Jun 2013 Venezuela v Uruguay W 0-1 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
16 Jun 2013 Spain v Uruguay L 2-1 FIFA Confederations Cup Group B
20 Jun 2013 Nigeria v Uruguay W 1-2 FIFA Confederations Cup Group B
26 Jun 2013 Brazil v Uruguay L 2-1 FIFA Confederations Cup Semi-final
30 Jun 2013 Uruguay v Italy L 2-2 (2-3) FIFA Confederations Cup 3rd place play-off
14 Aug 2013 Japan v Uruguay W 2-4 International Friendly
06 Sep 2013 Peru v Uruguay W 1-2 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
11 Oct 2013 Ecuador v Uruguay L 1-0 FIFA World Cup South America qualifying
13 Nov 2013 Jordan v Uruguay W 0-5 FIFA World Cup Play-off 1st leg
20 Nov 2013 Uruguay v Jordan D 0-0 FIFA World Cup Play-off 2nd leg
05 Mar 2014 Austria v Uruguay D 1-1 International Friendly
30 May 2014 Uruguay v Northern Ireland W 1-0 International Friendly
04 Jun 2014 Uruguay v Slovenia W 2-0 International Friendly
14 Jun 2014 Uruguay v Costa Rica L 1-3 FIFA World Cup Finals Group D
28 Jun 2014 Colombia v Uruguay L 2-0 FIFA World Cup Finals - Round of 16


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.