Radamel Falcao
- Actor
Radamel Falcao García Zárate (10 February 1986) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Colombia national team. He is sometimes nicknamed "El Tigre" or "King of the Europa League". During his prime, he was regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.
Falcao began his professional career at the age of 13 at Lanceros Boyacá, before moving to the Argentine club River Plate, where he won the 2007-08 Clausura tournament. In 2009, he joined the Portuguese club F.C. Porto, where he won several trophies, including the Europa League and Primeira Liga double in 2011. Falcao became their all-time top goalscorer in international club competitions and set the record for most goals (17) in a European campaign. He also became the first Colombian to receive the Portuguese Golden Ball award. In August 2011, Falcao was transferred to Atletico Madrid for a club record EUR40 million, leading them to Europa League and Super Cup victories in 2012. Falcao finished as top goalscorer for the second straight year and became the first player to win consecutive Europa League titles with two teams. He was named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI in 2012.
In May 2013, Falcao joined newly promoted Monaco for a club record EUR60 million; however, an ACL injury ruled him out for several months. Falcao spent the next two seasons on loan at Premier League clubs Manchester United F.C. and Chelsea F.C., eventually rejoining A.S. Monaco F.C. 2016 and leading them to Ligue 1 title for the 2016-17 season.
On 2 September 2019, Falcao joined Süper Lig club Galatasaray S.K. on a three-year contract for a EUR5 million fee. He was welcomed by over 25.000 fans on the previous day at the Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
Falcao made his senior debut for Colombia in 2007, and has since earned 89 caps and scored 34 goals, making him their all-time top scorer. He represented his country at the 2011, 2015 and 2019 Copa América. Falcao missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup through injury, but made his World Cup debut at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Falcao began his professional career at the age of 13 at Lanceros Boyacá, before moving to the Argentine club River Plate, where he won the 2007-08 Clausura tournament. In 2009, he joined the Portuguese club F.C. Porto, where he won several trophies, including the Europa League and Primeira Liga double in 2011. Falcao became their all-time top goalscorer in international club competitions and set the record for most goals (17) in a European campaign. He also became the first Colombian to receive the Portuguese Golden Ball award. In August 2011, Falcao was transferred to Atletico Madrid for a club record EUR40 million, leading them to Europa League and Super Cup victories in 2012. Falcao finished as top goalscorer for the second straight year and became the first player to win consecutive Europa League titles with two teams. He was named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI in 2012.
In May 2013, Falcao joined newly promoted Monaco for a club record EUR60 million; however, an ACL injury ruled him out for several months. Falcao spent the next two seasons on loan at Premier League clubs Manchester United F.C. and Chelsea F.C., eventually rejoining A.S. Monaco F.C. 2016 and leading them to Ligue 1 title for the 2016-17 season.
On 2 September 2019, Falcao joined Süper Lig club Galatasaray S.K. on a three-year contract for a EUR5 million fee. He was welcomed by over 25.000 fans on the previous day at the Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
Falcao made his senior debut for Colombia in 2007, and has since earned 89 caps and scored 34 goals, making him their all-time top scorer. He represented his country at the 2011, 2015 and 2019 Copa América. Falcao missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup through injury, but made his World Cup debut at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
