Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan will make his skilled tennis debut in an ATP doubles occasion in his native Uruguay subsequent month.
The 45-year-old, who retired from soccer in 2019, will play alongside Argentine Federico Coria within the Uruguay Open in Montevideo.
Forlan, who was a promising tennis participant in his teenagers, has been taking part in in ITF Masters occasions – most not too long ago within the 45 and over class.
However subsequent month’s event is a recognised ATP occasion and sits on the second-tier Challenger Tour, requiring Forlan to get a wildcard.
His accomplice Coria is the world quantity 101 in singles, having reached a career-high of 49 in 2023.
Forlan joined Manchester United in 2002 and made 98 appearances for the membership earlier than becoming a member of La Liga facet Villarreal.
In Spain, Forlan gained the European Golden Shoe – awarded to the highest scorer in Europe – on two events.
The ahead gained the Golden Ball on the 2010 World Cup after Uruguay completed third in South Africa, and helped his nation to the 2011 Copa America title.