FORMER Manchester United striker Diego Forlan was rushed to hospital after suffering three broken ribs during a veterans match.
Forlan, 46, was left in agony after colliding with an opponent while playing in Uruguay’s over-40s Liga Universitaria on Saturday.
The veteran forward turned out for Old Boys in their 4-1 win against Old Christians.
But Forlan’s day ended miserably after he hit the ground painfully following a challenge from an opposing player.
The ex-United, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan ace was quickly taken to hospital due to the brutal nature of his fall.
And while in the emergency room, Forlan was diagnosed with three broken ribs and a partially-collapsed lung.
ACE WOE
Ex-Premier football star, 38, rushed to hospital after suffering stroke
WILD OFFER
Win a 2024 Ford Ranger Wildtrak plus £2,000 cash from just 9p with our code
According to Referi, the ace ended up needing to have his lung drained after it filled with fluid.
But Forlan has told those close to him there was “no bad intention” from the opponent who caused his horror injuries.
He is now said to be in a good condition and will remain in hospital until Tuesday.
Forlan remains an iconic finisher in football culture despite his struggles at Man United.
After scoring 40 goals for Argentine giants Independiente, Forlan moved to Old Trafford in 2002 for £7million.
He failed to score a single goal in his first six months and, although he eventually won a Premier League title and FA Cup, he departed three years later with just 17 strikes to his name.
However, Forlan quickly turned a corner as he secured a move to Spain with Villarreal.
He hit 25 goals in his first season and ended up scoring 59 times in total, winning the European Golden Shoe before joining Atletico Madrid in 2007.
Forlan continued banging in the goals and scored 96 times in the capital, winning the Europa League and another Golden Shoe, before a stint with Inter Milan in 2011.
After finding the net just twice in Italy, Forlan moved to Brazil with Internacional before a shock switch to Japanese outfit Cerezo Osaka in 2014.
Forlan ended up quickly returning to Uruguay with Penarol before spells in India and Hong Kong.
He announced his professional retirement in 2019 but continues to keep match fit with his veterans football career in Uruguay.
On the international scene, Forlan scored 36 goals in 112 games for his country and lit up the 2010 World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball award for best player.
WORK WONDERS
The 11 best ‘passion jobs’ where you don’t need a degree and earn up to £46k
RADIO SILENCE
Loose Women star Kaye Adams is ‘taken off air over complaints from staff’
A year later Forlan fired Uruguay to the Copa America.
And following retirement, he enjoyed two spells as a manager with Uruguayan sides Penarol and Atenas.
Read the full article here