Radamel Falcao (Part 3)

Falcao made an impactful start to his Ligue 1 campaign with Monaco, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess early on. He scored crucial goals in several matches, including a late winner against Bordeaux in his debut match and an opening goal against Montpellier. Notably, his equalizer against Marseille helped secure a vital victory for Monaco.
Maintaining his form, Falcao continued to find the back of the net with important goals, such as his penalty kick against Lorient and a diving header against Paris Saint-Germain. His double against Bastia further solidified his position as the top scorer in Ligue 1 at that time.
Despite a brief goal drought, Falcao returned to scoring ways with an impressive chip against Lyon. However, a thigh injury sidelined him for several matches, causing him to miss crucial games for Monaco.


During the winter transfer window, Falcao was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, with reports suggesting an £80 million deal had been agreed upon. However, Monaco's sporting director denied these rumors, affirming Falcao's commitment to the club.
Falcao's 2014 took a devastating turn when he suffered a severe ACL injury in his left knee during a Coupe de France match against Monts d'Or Azergues Foot. This injury ruled him out for the rest of the season and also meant he would miss the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Despite the setback, Falcao expressed confidence in his recovery and reiterated his desire to return to the pitch as soon as possible.
The injury marked a challenging period for Falcao, but his determination to overcome it and return to form remained unwavering.


Falcao's return to competitive action after his injury was eagerly anticipated by fans and pundits alike. He made his comeback during pre-season matches for Monaco, gradually regaining match fitness and form.
In the Emirates Cup, Falcao made a notable impact, scoring a crucial goal against Arsenal. This marked an important milestone in his recovery journey, showcasing his ability to make an impact on the field once again.


His first competitive match since the injury saw him score a penalty against Lorient, although Monaco suffered a defeat. However, Falcao quickly demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess once more by netting the only goal in a victory over Nantes.
Despite his return to form, rumors of a potential transfer surrounded Falcao, leading to speculation about his future at Monaco. His absence from the match against Lille fueled further speculation, with reports suggesting disagreements over the club's transfer policy.
Falcao's father's comments shed light on the situation, indicating that the decision to leave Monaco stemmed from a perceived deviation from the original plan, particularly regarding the sale of key players like James Rodriguez.


Overall, Falcao's return to action after his injury showcased his resilience and determination to overcome setbacks. However, his future at Monaco appeared uncertain amid ongoing speculation and reported disagreements with the club's management.
Falcao's move to Manchester United on loan generated significant excitement among fans and pundits, with many expecting him to shine at Old Trafford. His debut against Queens Park Rangers was met with enthusiastic support from United supporters, who cheered his every move.


He scored his first goal for United against Everton, contributing to a crucial victory. However, Falcao faced challenges with fitness and form during his time at the club. Despite occasional glimpses of his talent, including a goal against Aston Villa and an assist against Newcastle United, he struggled to secure a regular place in the starting lineup.
Manager Louis van Gaal's decisions regarding Falcao's playing time sparked controversy, particularly when he was left out in favor of younger players like James Wilson. This led to speculation about Falcao's future at United, especially after his agent suggested that he might not remain at the club beyond the loan spell.


Criticism intensified following a lackluster performance against Preston North End and his subsequent appearance for the under-21 team. Former players and pundits condemned Van Gaal's handling of the situation, accusing him of disrespecting Falcao.
Ultimately, Falcao's loan spell at Manchester United ended without the club exercising their option to buy him permanently. Despite scoring four goals in 29 appearances, he was widely regarded as one of the worst signings of the season.
His time at United was marked by unfulfilled potential and disappointment, leaving many to wonder what could have been if circumstances had been different.


Falcao's loan move to Chelsea was seen as an opportunity for him to rejuvenate his career after a disappointing spell at Manchester United. However, his time at Stamford Bridge was plagued by injuries and limited playing time.
His debut in the 2015 FA Community Shield against Arsenal ended in defeat, and he struggled to make an impact in subsequent matches. Falcao scored his only goal for Chelsea in a league match against Crystal Palace, but his progress was hampered by injuries.


Muscular injuries suffered in training and during matches sidelined Falcao for extended periods, preventing him from gaining momentum in the team. Despite attempts to recover, his fitness issues persisted, leading to concerns about his long-term viability for Chelsea.
Manager Guus Hiddink confirmed the severity of Falcao's injuries, indicating that he would be out of action for an extended period. As a result, Falcao was excluded from Chelsea's Champions League squad, further signaling his struggles to make an impact at the club.
Ultimately, Falcao's loan spell at Chelsea was marred by setbacks, and he was unable to fulfill the expectations placed on him when he joined the club. With limited playing time and persistent injuries, his future at Stamford Bridge became uncertain, casting doubt on whether his loan deal would be made permanent.


Falcao's return to Monaco in 2016 marked a significant turning point in his career, as he was appointed team captain by coach Leonardo Jardim. He quickly made an impact, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess in both domestic and European competitions.
In his first appearance for Monaco in two seasons, Falcao found the back of the net in a Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahçe. He continued his goal-scoring form in Ligue 1, scoring his first league goal of the season in a win over Stade Rennais.
Falcao's standout performance came in December 2016 when he scored his first Ligue 1 hat-trick in a dominant victory against Bordeaux. His remarkable goal-scoring record earned him praise, as he averaged one Ligue 1 goal every 58 minutes of playing time.


Throughout the season, Falcao consistently delivered crucial goals for Monaco, including braces in victories over Nice and Metz. Despite missing a penalty in a Champions League match against Manchester City, his contributions helped Monaco advance to the quarter-finals. Falcao's impact continued in the Champions League, as he scored a pivotal goal against Borussia Dortmund to secure Monaco's place in the semi-finals for the first time in over a decade. He ended the season on a high note, claiming the Ligue 1 title and finishing as Monaco's top scorer with an impressive tally of 30 goals in 43 appearances.
His outstanding performances earned him a contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2020. Falcao's resurgence at Monaco solidified his status as one of the most prolific strikers in European football.

References

1.  "River ganó con autoridad y sigue arriba". ESPN. 6 March 2005. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
2. ^ "Historias y anécdotas de cuando Falcao llegó a River con 15 años". La Nación. 7 June 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
3. ^ "Falcao hizo festejar a River" [Falcao had a ball at River]. Infobae (in Spanish). 3 October 2005. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
4. ^ "El colombiano Falcao Garcia se consolida como goleador de River" [The Colombian Falcao García establishes himself as River's goalscorer]. Diario de Cuyo (in Spanish). San Juan, Argentina. 9 November 2005. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
5. ^ "Falcao García marca dos tantos en goleada de River a San Lorenzo" [Falcao García scores two in River's goalfest at San Lorenzo]. Terra (in Spanish). EFE. 17 November 2005. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
6. ^ "River Plate perdió a Falcao García para el resto del Apertura 2005" [River Plate lost Falcao García for the rest of the 2005 Apertura] (in Spanish). Radio Cooperativa. 23 November 2005. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
7. ^ "Grave lesión de colombiano Falcao" [Serious injury to the Colombian Falcao]. Terra (in Spanish). 20 January 2006. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
8. ^ "River construyó una victoria que lo llevó a la punta" [River constructed a victory that took them to the top]. Infobae (in Spanish). 23 October 2006. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
9. ^ "Eliminan a River" [River go out]. Los Tiempos (in Spanish). Bolivia. 12 October 2006. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2012.