Ladies & Gents, Your 08/09 Golden Boot Winner: Diego Forlan.

By: chris | June 1st, 2009

Everybody began the Atletico year talking about Kun Aguero. We did. And rightfully so. But nose into a discussion about Madrid’s second team and you’ll hear them gushing on one name – and it ain’t Kun. It’s Diego Forlan, the 2008/09 ESM Golden Boot winner for the second time in five years and perhaps the best striker no one talks about.

Our site is, of course, English languaged (well…we try) and many probably remember Diego Forlan for his not quite successful stint at Manchester United. A stint which is remembered largely by one goal and one goal celebration.

Well he’s grown up a bit since then. Upon moving to Villarreal on that direct transfer from Manchester he rewarded the Submarine suits for their investment with a Golden Boot – 25 goals worth – which he shared with an in-his-prime Titi Henry. And this makes him only the third to win the award twice since the introduction of the weighted points system in 1996, along with the aforementioned Titi and the entirely inexplicable goal machine once known as Mario Jardel. A pretty nice accomplishment to say the least.

But this year he hauled the entire team on his shoulders and brought Atletico back to football’s promised land, the Champions League. And that’s not just a laudatory way of saying he was Atletico’s best player – Diego truly spearheaded their run with 12 goals in the final eight games of the season, when that fourth spot was well up for grabs.

And for his contributions he’s been rewarded with a couple months of cruel rumors sending him back to Manchester – this time the blue side. (Though if recent rumblings prove true, Barca may be looking for someone worthy of silver platter service.) Unfortunately, those rumors will likely comprosie the bulk of talk surrounding him this summer. Not all that bad given that the interest must be born from some quality, but still not enough.

Time to talk Forlan in amongst the great strikers of the day. After all, in this game trophies speak loudest and his hands are now full.

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Category: Spain La Liga

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Paul

Forlan had a better minutes played/goals scored ratio than Van nistelrooy actually. Forlan barely ever was in the starting lineup, yet his stats say he played entire lot of games for United, but it's not true, he was given 10 minutes of play on SOME occasions, because he had Allan Smith, Saha, Nistelrooy and then later on Rooney ahead of him. But thankfully, this motivated Forlan to become a great and show the world how gifted he is. He's had superb performances for the Uruguayan National team as well, excelling against Brazil and Argentina. One can only ask one self, how can you let go of such a top player?
alan

he is a great player, not just a goal scorer, especially in Atletico who have no play makers in midfield.The time he spent at United shows Fergie has very good eye, but you can't make a place for yourself as a striker playing 5-10 minutes a match. Their loss
David

He is a great player. Any team would like to have had his 32 goals his season. It was great that he left Manchester, since he did it he has become twice the European golden boot, this means, and I repeat for all of you jealous and misguided egos: HE HAS BEEN NOW TWICE THE TOP SCORER AND BEST PLAYER!!!
Afshin

Well, at the start of the season I did not give him a chance in the world to end at the top, but what do I know?! :-)
Weston (@wpazzurri)

i like the one better where he completely screwed up trying to get one past chimenti when manUre played my beloved Juve back on the US tour.... wish i could have been there.