News
MAR 21.09.2021
- Falcao kicked off his spell at Rayo in the finest possible fashion. The Colombian frontman is the third Rayo Vallecano player to score in his first two appearances in the red-and-white stripes in LaLiga Santander this century. The other two players who achieved the feat were Moises Arteaga in 2001 and Diego Costa in 2012.
- Falcao picked an odd number for a striker, though one charged with emotion and sentiment. The reason behind his choice of the number three shirt is that it was the one worn by his father, Radamel Garcia, a former central defender, who he wanted to pay tribute to following his passing a couple of years ago.
- His name Radamel Falcao is in honour of the former Brazilian footballing legend Paulo Roberto Falcao, one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the Canarinha.
- His nickname, The Tiger, makes reference to a popular sports analysis show called Futbol de Primera, which included a weekly segment called El Tigre de Esso (The Esso Tiger). In his early years as a player, his teammate Gonzalo Ludueña took it upon himself to give him a nickname which would stick with him for the rest of his career.
- Falcao is also an avid baseball fan, after the time he spent living in Venezuela, when his father played in the country.
© LALIGA - 2021