Every football fan loves a redemption arc. And this particular football fan loves Diego Forlan.
Why I love Diego Forlan
When I ask myself as to ‘why’ – two clear things come to mind: 1) He was a Manchester United forward player in an era of expression over tactical rigidity and 2) He had a ponytail. Don’t judge me!
As a United fan myself whose first embryonic exposure to the club was that of Fergie’s later ‘transitional period’ post-1999 in the noughties, the club was rife with faraway talents in an attempt to try and conquer the continent in this nouveau-riche fashion.
As it happened, Diego Forlan was one of those players brought into this ‘let’s try something new’ regime and unfortunately fell by the wayside. And though my youthful gaze saw nothing but the endeavour of a talented young man doing all he could to succeed, the cold, harsh reality of the stats book meant that his future better lay elsewhere, provided he could get things back on track.
And that’s what leads me to write this story, because so many players struggle and are forever doubted, but the best overcome them and live to scream the tale from the mountaintops.
In my older, achier and more mature opinion, few stories capture that spirit better than Diego Forlán’s remarkable turnaround at Villarreal — a journey that transformed him from a Premier League punchline into a cult hero and global superstar.
For collectors and hobby enthusiasts, Forlán’s Villarreal years aren’t just a chapter in football history — they’re a reminder that greatness doesn’t always follow a straight path.
The Manchester United Struggles
When Diego Forlán arrived at Manchester United in January 2002, expectations were relatively high.
Not only did Sir Alex Ferguson pay around £7.5 million for the Uruguayan striker, but the deal was also done right under the noses of Middlesbrough. With the Manchester giants intercepting the move at the eleventh hour to ensure that the shade of red he wore that season was theirs.
Unfortunately, Diego Forlan struggled to make it worth the snipe at Old Trafford.
It wasn’t for lack of effort. Forlán worked tirelessly, pressed defenders relentlessly, and never hid from responsibility. But goals? They were painfully scarce. He famously endured a 27-game goal drought, a stat that hung around his neck like an unwanted scarf.
So much so that a run of four consecutive scoring games didn’t do much to quell the unrest that surrounded his inclusion in the then-star-studded Manchester United squad.
His iconic double against Liverpool in 2002 showed glimpses of his talent, but the status surrounding the club at this particular time was an unforgiving one.
It wasn’t enough to ‘do your best’ – you had to get results.
And with the incumbent Ruud van Nisterlooy hitting heights higher than ever before, that was already one spot in Sir Alex’s 4-4-2 that wasn’t going to anybody else. So, to keep the likes of Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer out of things, the manager expected more from his costly South American import.
Between confidence issues, adapting to English football, and fierce competition for places, Forlán’s United story felt like a “what if?” rather than a triumph. By 2004, it was clear something had to change.
Why Villarreal Took a Chance on Diego Forlán
For a club like Villarreal, Diego Forlan was simply an opportunity they couldn’t miss.
At the time, Villarreal weren’t European heavyweights. But they were ambitious, well-run, and hungry for players with something to prove. Not to mention, they needed a goalscorer.
And to get one with some Premier League credence for shy of £4m?
You’d be crazy not to take that chance.
Forlán arrived in Spain with a bruised reputation but an unshaken belief in his ability – something which had held him in good stead in the early stages of his career. La Liga also offered him something the Premier League hadn’t: space, patience, and tactical freedom. Villarreal’s style of play suited him perfectly — technical, intelligent, and focused on movement rather than brute force.
Not to mention a qualify and pace of life akin to what he was used to in South America. With the climate, food and language similar to that of his native Uruguay.
Crucially, Villarreal gave Forlán what every striker needs above all else: time.
Diego Forlan’s Meteoric Rise at Villarreal
As has recently been the case with players leaving Manchester United for La Liga (*sigh*), the upturn in Diego’s career was stark and nigh-on immediate.
In the 2004–05 season, Diego Forlán exploded into life, scoring 25 league goals and winning the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga’s top scorer.
A particularly strong feat given the plethora of stop scorers in the league at the time.
Much like his albeit brief purple patch in Manchester, Diego Forlán’s goals came in all shapes and sizes: curling finishes, long-range rockets, clever chips, and perfectly timed runs. His confidence surged, his movement sharpened, and suddenly the football world remembered why he’d been so highly rated in the first place.
The Forlan & Riquelme Partnership
One of the defining aspects of Forlán’s Villarreal era was his partnership with Juan Román Riquelme.
The elegant Argentine playmaker and the tireless Uruguayan striker formed a symbiotic relationship that lit up La Liga and Europe, and is something that seems to have departed the modern game.
With most ‘top clubs’ favouring a single striker formation, there’s less of a natural development of on-pitch relationships to develop between a ‘creator’ and a ‘finisher’. Which is a darn shame…
Together, they helped Villarreal reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2006, a fairytale run that included unforgettable European home nights which I’m sure their support longs for today.
Collectors will know this era well. Forlán’s Villarreal shirts, match-worn boots, and trading cards from this period are now pretty pricey items — especially his Panini Contenders Autograph.
Okay, and while we’re on the subject, if you happen to have that card and would like to discuss a trade or donation, hit me up – otherwise you can bookmark the Hobby FC website as a compromise.
Forlán would go on to win a second Pichichi Trophy in the 2008–09 season (shared with Samuel Eto’o – not bad company, is it?) before moving on to Atlético Madrid, where his legend only grew.
But Villarreal will always be where the narrative truly shifted in his professional career.
Conclusion
For fans, collectors, and hobbyists, Diego Forlán’s Villarreal redemption story hits different.
It reminds us of overlooked sticker albums, underrated Panini cards, and players whose true value only became clear with time. Or basically just me when I look over my old Shoot Out binder…
In a football world obsessed with instant success, Diego Forlán’s journey stands as proof that patience, belief, and the right environment can unlock greatness.
Because sometimes, football’s most beautiful moments come after the hardest chapters.
What’s your favourite Diego Forlan moment at Villarreal?