Diego Forlan is one of the most talented soccer players Uruguay has ever produced. He is famous for his incredible goals and for being the best player at the 2010 World Cup.
Even though he retired from soccer a few years ago, he is still making news, especially with his recent surprise move to professional tennis.
In this article, you will know Diego Forlan’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Diego Forlan’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Diego Martin Forlan Corazo |
| Date of Birth | May 19, 1979 |
| Age | 46 |
| Education | Liceo Francés, Scuola Italiana di Montevideo |
| Nationality | Uruguayan |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 165 lbs (75 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 1997 (Soccer), 2024 (Tennis) |
| Net Worth | $15 Million (Estimated) |
| Primary Sources of Income | Soccer Contracts, Endorsements, Investments |
| Wife | Paz Cardoso |
| Instagram Profile | @diegoforlancorazo |
| Twitter Profile | @DiegoForlan7 |
Early Career
Diego Forlan was born into a family that loved soccer. His father and grandfather were also professional players, so the sport was in his blood.
As a young boy, he played both tennis and soccer. He was actually very good at tennis, but he chose to focus on soccer after his sister was involved in a serious car accident. He wanted to earn money to help her and his family.
He started his youth career in Uruguay with teams like Peñarol and Danubio. However, his big break came when he moved to Argentina to play for Independiente. He joined their youth system and worked very hard to improve his skills.
He made his professional debut for Independiente in 1997. He quickly showed everyone he was a special striker by scoring many goals. His great performances in Argentina caught the attention of big clubs in Europe.
Professional Career
Diego Forlan’s professional career is full of amazing achievements. In 2002, he moved to England to play for Manchester United. It was a huge step for him. Although it took him some time to score his first goal, he won the Premier League title with the team.
After his time in England, he moved to Spain to play for Villarreal. This is where he truly became a superstar. He scored so many goals that he won the European Golden Shoe, an award for the top scorer in Europe.
Later, he joined Atletico Madrid, another top Spanish club. He became a legend there by helping them win the Europa League. He scored two goals in the final to win the trophy for his team.
He also played for big teams like Inter Milan in Italy and Internacional in Brazil. Toward the end of his soccer career, he played in Japan, Uruguay, India, and Hong Kong.
In a shocking twist, Diego returned to professional sports in late 2024, but this time as a tennis player on the ATP Challenger Tour.
Wife
Diego Forlan is happily married to Paz Cardoso. She is from Uruguay, just like him. The couple got married in a private civil ceremony in 2013.
They have a strong relationship and are often seen together. Before meeting Paz, Diego was known for dating some famous people, but he found his true partner in her.
Together, they have built a beautiful family. They have four children: three sons and one daughter. Their first son, Martin, was born in February 2016. Their daughter, Luz, was born a year later in May 2017.
They welcomed their third child, Cesar, in February 2019, and their fourth child was born in 2021. Diego loves spending time with his kids and often shares family moments on social media.
Diego Forlan’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Diego Forlan has an estimated net worth of around $15 million. He built this wealth through years of playing soccer at the highest level and signing big contracts with top clubs around the world.
Contract
Diego signed some very impressive contracts. His move to Manchester United was his first big payday, but his contracts in Spain were even bigger. When he moved to Japan to play for Cerezo Osaka, he signed a record-breaking deal that made him one of the highest-paid players in the league at that time.
Later, he signed a lucrative short-term deal with Mumbai City FC in India, where he was the highest-paid player in the entire league for that season.
Salary
Diego’s salary changed a lot during his career depending on the team he played for. At his peak in Spain with Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, he was earning millions of dollars every year. In Japan, his salary was reported to be around $5.8 million per year.
When he played in India for just three months, he earned about $800,000 to $900,000 (Rs 6 crore). Even in Hong Kong with Kitchee, he earned a solid weekly wage of around £13,000.
Career Earnings
| Year/Period | Team | Estimated Earnings/Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Mumbai City FC | ~$900,000 (3-month deal) |
| 2014-2015 | Cerezo Osaka | $5.8 Million per year |
| 2012-2013 | Internacional | ~$2 Million per year |
| 2011 | Inter Milan | ~$4.5 Million per year |
| 2018 | Kitchee SC | ~$18,000 per week (£13k) |
Career Stats
| Team/Category | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Independiente | 91 | 40 |
| Manchester United | 98 | 17 |
| Villarreal | 128 | 59 |
| Atletico Madrid | 198 | 96 |
| Inter Milan | 20 | 2 |
| Internacional | 55 | 22 |
| Cerezo Osaka | 50 | 19 |
| Peñarol | 34 | 8 |
| Mumbai City | 12 | 5 |
| Kitchee | 14 | 6 |
| Uruguay (National Team) | 112 | 36 |
| Total Career | 812 | 310 |
FAQs
1. Did Diego Forlan play professional tennis recently?
Yes, he made his professional tennis debut at the Uruguay Open in November 2024. He played doubles with Federico Coria but lost the match in straight sets to their opponents.
2. How many goals did Diego Forlan score for Manchester United?
The Uruguayan striker scored 17 goals in 98 appearances for Manchester United between 2002 and 2004. He helped the club win one Premier League title and an FA Cup trophy.
3. What award did Diego Forlan win at the 2010 World Cup?
He received the Golden Ball award as the best player of the 2010 tournament. Forlan scored five goals in South Africa and led his national team to the semifinals.
4. Which teams has Diego Forlan managed as a coach?
Forlan began his coaching career with his boyhood club Peñarol. He later managed Atenas de San Carlos in the Uruguayan second division for a short period of time.
5. Why did Diego Forlan switch from tennis to football?
He originally played tennis but switched sports after his sister suffered a serious car accident. He promised to become a famous footballer to pay for her expensive medical doctors.
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