Opinion | Diego Forlan, the ‘witch’ who cast his spell on Hong Kong, points to powers of perseverance after Kitchee swansong
The Uruguayan’s career looks to have come to an end with his final game for Hong Kong champions Kitchee, and he should be remembered as the ultimate example of perseverance
Eyes looking down at the turf, Diego Forlan swung his right leg and hoped for the best.
Manchester United were 4-2 up against Israeli minnows Maccabi Haifa, strolling to a routine Champions League win at Old Trafford with one minute remaining.
Signed for £7.5 million (US$10.18 million) from cash-strapped Independiente in the 2002 January transfer window, Forlan was expected to be Alex Ferguson’s next masterstroke signing having shone in Argentina, but things hadn’t quite worked out that way.
Then 23 years old, the Uruguayan had gone 26 games and eight months without a goal, so when David Beckham was brought down in the box, Forlan pleaded with his captain to hand him the ball.
Then it hit the back of the net in front of the Stretford End and Forlan pumped his fist in the air.
“Training, sacrifice and hard work, that’s the only secret,” Forlan told the South China Morning Post, when asked how he has dealt with setbacks and challenges in his career.