Diego Forlan was rushed to hospital after suffering a tear in his lung and three broken ribs whilst playing in a veterans match.
The former Manchester United striker collided with an opposing player as he represented Old Boys during the over-40s clash.
Diego Forlan reveals the reasons he never became a top striker for Manchester United alongside Cristiano Ronaldo
Forlan was attempting to take a shot at goal having already scored two against Old Christians when he was left grounded.
Following a heavy collision, he landed on the pitch painfully and his reaction quickly raised concern on the pitch.
Footage shows the 46-year-old on his knees with his head on the ground before falling onto his side, clearly in a lot of pain.
The referee and other players on the pitch then called for medical staff to provide treatment to the Uruguayan legend.
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Forlan was in agony so much so that he was rushed to hospital to receive further care for his injuries.
The ex-Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan forward was then diagnosed with three broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung.
According to reports in Uruguay, he then had to have his lung drained and filled with fluid.
WhatsApp messages were also obtained by Spanish outlet El Pais, with Forlan discussing his treatment himself.
He said: "They are going to admit me and put a tube in to drain it. I will remain in the hospital until Tuesday.
"In 20 years as a professional, this has never happened to me."
'I couldn't breathe'
Forlan has made sure to make it known that his opponent was not at fault for causing his horrible injuries during the incident.
"I see that I beat Quique and I see Josema going inside," the ex-Premier League striker explained, via the Daily Mail. "And then I hook it inside, so that I am left on my left foot and I hit it.
"That's when Josema comes out to block the shot, I hit it, jump, and then either I touch it or Josema touches me, but it was the play, it wasn't his fault.
"The truth is that it wasn't his fault and that's where I was left off balance, he unbalanced me and I was left in the air. And my hand stayed there, as if I couldn't get my hand out to support myself and I fell like a sack of potatoes."
Forlan continued: "My hand ended up below my chest, and it ended up breaking my ribs.
"When I fell, I said: 'Thank goodness I didn't hurt my wrist.' But right away, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't find air, I couldn't find a position. It was a constant pain that wouldn't go away. It didn't go away until I got to the hospital."
Diego Forlan celebrates with Roy Keane at Manchester United
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Forlan won the Premier League and FA Cup during his time spent at Man United, although his time at Old Trafford was one where he struggledCredit: Getty
Forlan's career path
Forlan retired from professional football in 2019 and has gone on to try his hand at tennis, playing his first pro game last November.
However, his debut only lasted 49 minutes as he was beaten in straight sets at the Uruguay Open in Montevideo.
He continues to play football in the over-40s Liga Universitaria in Uruguay though, getting injured while playing for Old Boys.
Forlan's career ended at Hong Kong side Kitchee after a spell in India at Mumbai City and back home at Penarol.
A year in Japan at Cerezo Osaka started in 2014, after spending two years in Brazil with Internacional.
Most of his career highlights came at Atletico Madrid, where he scored 96 goals in 198 appearances before joining Inter Milan in 2011.
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For Man United, Forlan only scored 17 goals in 98 games across two years at Old Trafford, leaving to sign for Villarreal in 2004.
On the international stage, the front man is a legend and he netted 36 goals in total, winning the Golden Ball at the 2010 World Cup.