Diego Forlán: Very few people possess finishing ability as refined as mine.
In the history of football, some strikers are remembered for their pace, others for their positional sense, and some strike fear into defenses with their sheer power. Diego Forlán, however, belongs to a different breed: players capable of turning a long-range shot into a work of art.
The former Uruguayan striker has openly admitted his surprise at how often his name is left out of debates regarding the game’s best shooters.
Forlán does not claim to be the best.
He has even stated that he is not particularly concerned with such accolades.
Yet, he finds it puzzling that his finishing ability is frequently overlooked when top marksmen are discussed.
“Often, I’m not included in lists of the best shooters. I’m not saying I’m the best—nor do I care about that—but I am surprised not to be mentioned at all.”
This is not an act of boasting.
It is more a reminder of a skill that Forlán believes he possessed at an elite level throughout his career.
Two-footed ability
One of Forlán’s most distinctive traits was his ability to finish with both feet.
This wasn’t merely a case of “using the weaker foot when necessary.”
Forlán was genuinely capable of unleashing dangerous shots with both his right and left feet.
This made him incredibly unpredictable for goalkeepers.
If a striker is one-footed, defenders can try to force him onto his weaker side.
With Forlán, however, deciding how to defend against him was far more difficult.
He could receive the ball outside the box, take a quick touch, and fire a shot with his right foot.
Or, just minutes later, he could do the exact same thing with his left.
Crucially, Forlán didn’t need to get close to the goal to be dangerous. He was renowned for his ability to finish from distances that many other strikers would typically avoid.
“Cristiano doesn’t shoot from distance the way I did.”
In his remarks, Forlán even drew a comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo.
He noted that Ronaldo did not frequently take long-range shots—especially with his left foot or from distances around 35 meters—in the way he himself used to.
Notably, Forlán was not dismissing Cristiano’s world-class status.
On the contrary, he simply wanted to highlight the difference in their finishing styles.
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most formidable strikers in football history, celebrated for his shooting power, precision, and long-range ability.
Yet, Forlán possessed a unique finishing style of his own.
He didn’t rely solely on power.
He relied on technique.
The placement of his standing foot.
The angle of contact with the ball.
The specific point of contact on his instep.
The spin.
The trajectory.
All these elements combined to produce shots of remarkable accuracy and beauty.
The 2010 World Cup was the perfect stage.
To find evidence of Forlán’s finishing prowess, fans need look no further than the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Uruguay enjoyed a memorable run to the semi-finals, with Forlán serving as a central figure in the team.
He scored five goals during the tournament.
Remarkably, according to Forlán himself, four of those five goals came from outside the penalty area.
That perfectly reflects his style.
Forlán didn’t need to be right in front of the goal to pose a threat.
He could create scoring opportunities from great distances.
A shot could pierce through the defense.
A free-kick could leave the goalkeeper helpless. A seemingly ordinary moment outside the penalty area could suddenly turn into a goal.
That is why Forlán became one of the standout players of the 2010 World Cup.
Shots that the world would never forget
One of Forlán’s most memorable moments at the 2010 World Cup was his goal against South Africa.
Receiving the ball outside the box, Forlán unleashed a left-footed strike that took a tricky trajectory before flying straight into the top corner of the net.
That wasn’t a shot you could pull off with power alone.
It required exceptional technique and a superb feel for the ball.
And that was Forlán’s trademark.
He could turn a shot from 25, 30, or even more than 30 meters out into a genuine attacking threat.
In an era where football increasingly prioritizes intricate combination play and penetrating the penalty area, strikers capable of creating goals from long range are incredibly valuable.
More than just a finisher
However, labeling Forlán merely a “long-range specialist” would be an understatement.
He also possessed intelligent movement, linked up well with teammates, and could drop deep to help build the play.
Forlán played for major clubs such as Manchester United, Villarreal, and Atlético Madrid.
At Villarreal and Atlético Madrid in particular, he evolved into a more complete striker—one who didn’t just score goals but also played a pivotal role in how the team orchestrated its attacks.
He won the European Golden Shoe and established himself as one of the most outstanding Uruguayan players of his generation.
Yet, when people think of Forlán, one thing immediately comes to mind:
His shooting.
A skill that is becoming increasingly rare.
Modern football has changed significantly.
Players are trained to work the ball into areas with a higher probability of scoring.
Teams use data to discourage low-percentage long-range shots.
Yet, this makes players capable of turning a situation outside the box into a goal all the more special.
Forlán belonged to an era where long-range shooting was a vital part of a striker’s arsenal.
He wasn’t afraid to have a go.
He wasn’t afraid to shoot with his left foot.
He wasn’t afraid to shoot with his right foot.
And above all, he wasn’t afraid to strike the ball from distances where most others wouldn’t even consider an attempt.
Forlán’s Legacy
Forlán might never be universally ranked among the greatest strikers in history.
And perhaps that didn’t bother him much.
But if the question is:
“Who could strike the ball with both feet, from great distances, with exceptional technique and precision?”
Diego Forlán’s name certainly deserves to be mentioned.
Because his goals were more than just numbers on the scoreboard.
They were moments that brought spectators to their feet.
A swing of the leg.
The sound of the ball hitting the net.
And a few seconds of silence before the entire stadium erupted.
Forlán once remarked that he was often left out of conversations regarding the best shooters in the game.
That might have surprised him.
But for those who watched him play, the answer is simple:
Diego Forlán didn’t need to be called the best shooter. His shots spoke for themselves.
Few strikers of his generation possessed Forlán’s combination of exquisite technique, raw power, and ambidextrous finishing ability. ⚽🔥
