Forlan not only enjoyed a glorious career with Uruguay but also had a brilliant run in European football circuit. He announced his decision on Tuesday.
(FILES) In this file picture taken on July 24, 2011 Uruguayan forward Diego Forlan celebrates after scoring against Paraguay during the final of the 2011 Copa America football tournament, at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. - Forlan announced on August 6, 2019 he is retiring from professional football, according to reports in local media. (Photo by Ronaldo SCHEMIDT / AFP)
Uruguay veteran football player, Diego Forlan, who also donned Manchester United and Atletico Madrid kit in his career, has decided to retire from professional football.
The 40-year-old last featured for Kitchee Sports Club in Hong Kong in May 2018.
The forward not only enjoyed a glorious career with Uruguay but also had a brilliant run in European football circuit. He announced his decision on Tuesday.
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“It hasn’t been easy, I didn’t want the time to come, but I knew it was going to come,” Forlan told Telemundo, a Spanish language television network.
“I have decided to stop playing football professionally.”
Notably, the Uruguay national, started his football career with Club Atlético Independiente in Argentina before bagging a£6.9million deal with Manchester United in 2002.
Forlan won the Premier League in 2002-03 with Manchester United. He also went on to win the FA Cup in the following season before joining Villarreal in 2004. He had a brilliant run in the La Liga as he went on to score 128 goals in 240 matches playing for Villarreal and Atletico Madrid. He was a vital member of the Atletico Madrid that won the Europa League in 2009-10.
However, for all his success in club football, perhaps his greatest achievement is that he would be remembered as one of the finest football players that his country has produced. He netted 36 goals in 112 matches and won the Copa America title with Uruguay in 2011. He also won the Golden ball honour at the FIFA 2010 World Cup as Uruguay finished fourth.
Luis Suarez, his former Uruguay teammate also shared his reaction on Twitter.
Un histórico para el fútbol uruguayo. Agradecido por todos los momentos inolvidables que nos hiciste vivir a todos los uruguayos, tanto en la selección, como en todos los equipos que jugaste. Estaré siempre agradecido por lo que me enseñaste, GOLEADOR
— Luis Suarez (@LuisSuarez9) August 7, 2019
His tweet in Spanish roughly translates to “Historic for Uruguayan football. Grateful for all the unforgettable moments you made all Uruguayans live, both in the national team and in all the teams you played,”. (Google Translate)
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