Radamel Falcao (Part 4)

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6 Apr 2024

Radamel Falcao (Part 4)

Falcao's remarkable goal-scoring form continued at the start of the season, as he made significant contributions to Monaco's campaign in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
He kicked off the season with a goal in Monaco's first league match against Toulouse, helping his team secure a 3–2 victory. Just two weeks later, Falcao showcased his scoring prowess by netting the first hat-trick of the Ligue 1 season in a convincing 4-1 win against Dijon.

Maintaining his momentum, Falcao scored crucial goals against Metz and Marseille, including a brace against the latter, bringing his tally to seven goals in just four matches. His outstanding performances earned him a nomination for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.
Despite a setback in a 4-0 defeat against OGC Nice, Falcao bounced back with two more braces against Strasbourg and Lille. Notably, he displayed sportsmanship and respect for his former club FC Porto by refusing to celebrate after scoring against them in a Champions League fixture, a gesture that was applauded by Porto fans.

Falcao's goal-scoring prowess extended to the Coupe de la Ligue, where he opened the scoring in a 2-0 victory over Caen. His goalscoring exploits continued, with a memorable double against Montpellier in the semi-final, propelling Monaco to the final where they faced PSG, albeit ending in a 3-0 defeat.
Despite the disappointment in the final, Falcao concluded the season as the top scorer in Ligue 1 with an impressive tally of 18 goals in just 26 matches, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in European football.

Falcao began the season in fine form, making significant contributions to Monaco's early matches. In the opening fixture against Nantes, he provided an assist and scored a goal to help secure a 3–1 away victory, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.
He continued his scoring streak with a decisive goal in a 1–0 victory against Caen on 24 November 2018. His free-kick not only secured the win but also ended Monaco's winless streak of 13 games, providing a much-needed boost for the struggling team.

Facing his former club Atletico Madrid in a Champions League group stage match, Falcao experienced mixed emotions as Monaco suffered a 2–0 defeat, with Falcao missing a penalty. Despite the loss, his presence on the field highlighted his importance to the team.
Falcao showcased his penalty-taking prowess once again on 4 December 2018, scoring two penalties in an impressive 2–0 away win against Amiens.
In the Coupe de France, Falcao opened his scoring account with a goal in a 1–3 loss to Metz on 22 January 2019. However, Monaco's journey in the competition came to an end despite Falcao's efforts.

Despite finishing as Monaco's top scorer with 16 goals across all competitions, it was a challenging season for both Falcao and the club. Monaco struggled in the league, barely avoiding relegation and finishing in 17th place, a disappointing outcome for a team with high aspirations. Nevertheless, Falcao's individual contributions remained a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable season for the club.
Falcao's move to Süper Lig club Galatasaray on a free transfer marked a new chapter in his career. Welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of over 25,000 fans at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, he quickly made an impact on the field.

Making his debut on 13 September, Falcao wasted no time in showcasing his scoring prowess, netting a goal in a 1–0 home victory against Kasimpasa. This early goal endeared him to the Galatasaray faithful, setting the stage for a promising stint with the club.
In a Turkish Cup match against Tuzlaspor on 17 December, Falcao once again displayed his scoring instincts, finding the back of the net to help his team advance to the next round after overturning a 0–2 first-leg deficit.
Falcao's scoring exploits continued on 28 December when he scored his first brace for Galatasaray in a commanding 5–0 victory over Antalyaspor at home. His clinical finishing and ability to find the back of the net earned him praise from fans and teammates alike.
On 1 March 2020, Falcao once again demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess by netting another brace in a 3–0 win against Gençlerbirliği at the Türk Telekom Stadium. His contributions on the field played a vital role in securing victories for Galatasaray and further solidified his status as a key player for the club.

Falcao's season with Galatasaray began on a positive note, as he played a key role in his club's league debut victory against Gaziantep on 12 September 2020, scoring twice and providing an assist.
However, on 11 April 2021, Falcao encountered a setback during a training session when he collided head-on with Kerem Aktürkoğlu, resulting in a facial bone fracture. He was promptly taken to the hospital and subsequently underwent surgery to address the injury.
Following the surgery, Falcao embarked on a road to recovery, returning to training after two weeks with a protective mask to aid in his rehabilitation efforts.

Despite the challenges posed by his injury, Falcao managed to make a significant impact on the pitch, tallying 9 goals and 2 assists in 17 games throughout the season. However, his campaign was marred by the numerous games he missed due to injuries, totaling 24 absences over the course of the season.
Falcao's resilience in overcoming adversity and his contributions to Galatasaray despite the setbacks underscored his determination and commitment to the team's success.
Falcao's journey in La Liga took a new turn on 4 September 2021 when he signed for Rayo Vallecano, marking a fresh chapter in his career. His arrival was met with excitement and anticipation, as he was presented at the Estadio de Vallecas on 16 September 2021 in front of 2,000 enthusiastic fans.

In a poignant tribute to his late father Radamel García, who had been a defender and often wore the number 3 jersey during his playing days, Falcao opted to don the same jersey number at Rayo Vallecano. This decision was a heartfelt gesture to honor his father's memory and legacy. Initially worn by Fran García, the number 3 jersey was willingly surrendered by García, who switched to number 33 to accommodate Falcao's request.
Falcao made his debut for Rayo Vallecano in a home fixture against Getafe CF on 18 September 2021, making an immediate impact by scoring a goal in a memorable 3–0 victory. His scoring prowess continued to shine when he netted the solitary goal in a historic league win over Barcelona on 27 October 2021. The outcome of the match resulted in the dismissal of Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman, further highlighting the significance of Falcao's contribution to Rayo Vallecano's success on the pitch.