Manchester United cult hero Diego Forlan has been hospitalised after suffering a partially-collapsed lung and three broken ribs during an appearance for a veterans team in his native Uruguay. The 46-year-old former striker was involved in a sickening collision that saw him require urgent treatment on the field before being rushed to a nearby medical facility.
Forlan left in agony after collision
Forlan was turning out for Old Boys in Uruguay's over-40s league. His team went on to beat Old Christians 4-1, but the ex-United and Atletico Madrid frontman was unable to complete the game. He collided with an opponent when attempting a shot.
After being tackled, Forlan was left in a crumpled heap on the turf. He was seen writhing in agony as team-mates came to his aid and physios were waved on. After being taken to hospital, it was revealed that a man who earned 112 caps for his country as a professional had suffered a tear in his lung and three cracked ribs.
AdvertisementAbsolves opponent of any blame
Forlan confirmed as much in WhatsApp messages that have been obtained by Spanish newspaper . In those he says: “They are going to admit me and put a tube in to drain it. I will remain in the hospital until Tuesday. In 20 years as a professional, this has never happened to me.”
Forlan went on to absolve his opponent of any blame, with the injuries he picked up an unfortunate consequence of playing a physical sport. He added: “I see that I beat Quique and I see Josema going inside. And then I hook it inside, so that I am left on my left foot and I hit it (the ball). That's when Josema comes out to block the shot, I hit it, jump, and then either I touch it or Josema touches me, but it was the play, it wasn't his fault.
“The truth is that it wasn't his fault and that's where I was left off balance, he unbalanced me and I was left in the air. And my hand stayed there, as if I couldn't get my hand out to support myself and I fell like a sack of potatoes.”
Forlan went on to say: “My hand ended up below my chest, and it ended up breaking my ribs. When I fell, I said, ‘Thank goodness I didn't hurt my wrist’. But right away, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't find air, I couldn't find a position. It was a constant pain that wouldn't go away. It didn't go away until I got to the hospital.”
GettyProfessional tennis venture in 2024
Forlan has remained active since bringing his football career to a close in 2018. He has spent time in management, while also making his professional debut on the ATP Challenger Tour as a tennis player in November 2024.
He was handed a wildcard entry to the Uruguay Open in Montevideo and teamed up with Argentine star Federico Coria for a doubles match against Bolivian duo Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos. Forlan found himself on the wrong end of a 6-1 6-2 defeat.
Forlan told reporters after branching out into a different sport: “Everyone starts to speculate when you start a new career, right? The next thing is to keep playing, enjoying, and playing at the ITF level, where there is really good competition. The truth is that it's a delightful experience.”
Getty Legacy at Man Utd
While still finding his feet on the court, Forlan earned hero status at Premier League giants United across two years at Old Trafford. His most memorable appearance for the Red Devils saw him bag a brace in a 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool in December 2002.
He won the Premier League and FA Cup with United, but managed just 17 goals through 98 appearances and only rediscovered his best form when heading to Spain with Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.
Ex-United team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said of Forlan in the book ‘Bring on United’: “He was a very nice guy and when the lads came in from abroad, we'd try to talk to them because I knew what it was like to come in as an outsider. He could shoot with both feet, but unfortunately, it didn't work out for him at United. We knew what a good player he was and he'd go on to be the best player in the 2010 World Cup to prove that.
“I remember the chat I had with the gaffer [Sir Alex Ferguson] about players after they'd left and he said: 'Diego Forlan was a great player. It was my mistake that I never managed to get the best out of him'.”
Everyone at Old Trafford will be wishing Forlan all the best in his recovery from an unfortunate injury suffered playing the game that he still loves.
