Radamel Falcao Football Forward PlaysRadamel Falcao García Zárate (born 10 February 1986), commonly known as just Falcao, is a Colombian football forward who currently plays for FC Porto of the Portuguese Primeira Liga. He is a natural goalscorer notable for his finishing and fantastic heading ability, despite not being above average height. He is considered one of the best forwards in the world having passed Jurgen Klinnsman's record of 17 goals in a single UEFA Europa League campaign. He also played a key role in guiding his club to a second Europa League title, as well as finishing undefeated in the 2010-2011 Portuguese Primeira Liga season.
As a youth, Falcao began playing at Fair Play, a Colombian football school, before joining the youth system of Bogota's Millonarios club. At the age of 15, Falcao was discovered by River Plate while playing for the Colombian U-17 side and was recruited to join the Argentine side's legendary youth academy and reserve system. Before signing his first professional contract with River Plate, Falcao had begun studies in journalism at the University of Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
At 20, Falcao debuted as a starter under Reinaldo Merlo, scoring two goals in his first start for River Plate. He quickly built a reputation, scoring seven goals in his first seven starts. He would score seven goals in 11 total 2005 appearances (four as a sub under Leo Astrada). He injured ligaments in his right knee while scoring a goal in a match against San Lorenzo Falcao exacerbated the knee injury when he tore the anterior cruciate ligaments of the same knee during a pre-season practice in January 2006. The ACL injury subsequently caused him to miss an extensive amount of games. Recovering from the long period of inactivity that followed, Falcao struggled to regain fitness throughout 2006 and the spring of 2007 as nagging injuries continually derailed comeback attempts. The recovery period would be the most difficult of Falcao's career, as he would score only three goals in 25 appearances in aggregate over the fall and spring of 2006–07 — 10 of these appearances being late game substitutions. Radamel Falcao is cousin to Edinson Cavani.
Personal information
Full name Radamel Falcao
García Zárate
Date of birth 10 February 1986 (age 25)
Place of birth Santa Marta, Colombia
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Porto
Number 9
Youth career
2000 Millonarios
2001–2005 River Plate
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2005–2009 River Plate 87 (34)
2009– Porto 50 (41)
National team‡
2007– Colombia 25 (7)
As a youth, Falcao began playing at Fair Play, a Colombian football school, before joining the youth system of Bogota's Millonarios club. At the age of 15, Falcao was discovered by River Plate while playing for the Colombian U-17 side and was recruited to join the Argentine side's legendary youth academy and reserve system. Before signing his first professional contract with River Plate, Falcao had begun studies in journalism at the University of Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
At 20, Falcao debuted as a starter under Reinaldo Merlo, scoring two goals in his first start for River Plate. He quickly built a reputation, scoring seven goals in his first seven starts. He would score seven goals in 11 total 2005 appearances (four as a sub under Leo Astrada). He injured ligaments in his right knee while scoring a goal in a match against San Lorenzo Falcao exacerbated the knee injury when he tore the anterior cruciate ligaments of the same knee during a pre-season practice in January 2006. The ACL injury subsequently caused him to miss an extensive amount of games. Recovering from the long period of inactivity that followed, Falcao struggled to regain fitness throughout 2006 and the spring of 2007 as nagging injuries continually derailed comeback attempts. The recovery period would be the most difficult of Falcao's career, as he would score only three goals in 25 appearances in aggregate over the fall and spring of 2006–07 — 10 of these appearances being late game substitutions. Radamel Falcao is cousin to Edinson Cavani.
Personal information
Full name Radamel Falcao
García Zárate
Date of birth 10 February 1986 (age 25)
Place of birth Santa Marta, Colombia
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Porto
Number 9
Youth career
2000 Millonarios
2001–2005 River Plate
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2005–2009 River Plate 87 (34)
2009– Porto 50 (41)
National team‡
2007– Colombia 25 (7)
