8 Footballers Who Proved Everybody Wrong

As the story goes, Uruguayan hitman Diego Forlan was flying into Teesside to sign on the dotted line with Middlesbrough, when his plane was diverted (not literally) westwards. At the last minute, Manchester United had gazumped the north east club for the services of one of the most promising strikers in football.

United fans were soon wishing his plane had been turned around a second time. Zero goals came in his first 18 games for the club, and it wasn't until ten months into his Old Trafford career that a man who probably should have been called 'Diego Forlorn' netted for the first time. As proverbial Routemasters, a second goal followed in the next game, which Forlan memorable celebrated by removing - and failing to put back on - his shirt, briefly playing in skins. His inability to dress himself rather summed up his time in Manchester.

Though his efforts and affability ultimately won over the crowd, it was apparent Forlan was a Premier League failure. With a heavy heart - and just 17 goals to his credit - he left the club for Villarreal in 2005.

In complete defiance of all reasonable evidence, it was with the Yellow Submarines that Forlan floated to the top of the game. An incredible 25 goals in his first season netted him not just hitherto unfound accolades, but the coveted European Golden Shoe award.

The goals just kept flowing, and he'd again win the trophy once more in 2009 with Atletico Madrid, before leading Uruguay to their best World Cup showing since 1970 - coming home as the tournament's top scorer. In the space of five years, Forlan had went from a helpless, shirtless figure of fun to the chest-beating golden haired, golden clod, golden boy of world football.