I absolutely adored Radamel Falcao, and I still think he’s one of the most dominant and underrated strikers of his generation. And thankfully, it seems as if many fans still agree with me!
How good was Radamel Falcao?
The man was a monster.
A complete, unbridled, striking monster.
From his humble beginnings in Colombia to his illustrious career in Europe, Falcao’s journey through the beautiful game is a testament to his talent, resilience, and unwavering passion. And I consider myself fortunate to be alive to watch it from start to finish.
Join me as we take a nostalgic trip through Radamel Falcao’s footballing odyssey, reliving the ones that are proving popular with fans all over the world.
River Plate (2005-2009)
Falcao’s professional career began at River Plate, one of Argentina’s most prestigious clubs.
Clad in the iconic red and white stripes of River Plate, Falcao quickly established himself as a rising star in South American football. His lethal combination of speed, strength, and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for opposition defenders, earning him the nickname “El Tigre” (‘The Tiger’).
During his time at River Plate, Falcao helped the club secure multiple titles, including the Clausura and the Copa Sudamericana, leaving an indelible mark on the club’s storied history.
Pristine options are tough to find, and have that ‘rookie’ flavour with an unconventional number and nameset which is dwindling in availability by the day!
If you want to find a good one, you may have to part with in excess of £150 to make it yours…
FC Porto (2009-2011)
In 2009, Falcao made the move to Europe, joining Portuguese giants FC Porto.
This is the litmus test for most South American starlets, to see if they truly have what it takes to make it at the highest grade of international football. And he did not disappoint.
Donning the iconic blue and white jersey of Porto, Radamel Falcao continued to showcase his goal-scoring prowess on the continental stage. His partnership with fellow Colombian James Rodríguez was instrumental in guiding Porto to unprecedented success, including back-to-back Primeira Liga titles and a memorable UEFA Europa League triumph in 2011.
It was during his time at Porto that Falcao emerged as one of the most feared strikers in Europe, earning him a reputation as a true goal-scoring machine.
Shirts are more common than back at River, but still at around the £100 mark.
Atlético Madrid (2011-2013)
The striker’s meteoric rise to stardom reached new heights when he joined Spanish powerhouse Atlético Madrid in 2011. This is where we saw the best version of Radamel Falcao.
His unforgettable hat-trick against Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup final cemented his status as one of the deadliest strikers in world football.
During his time at Atlético, Falcao captured the hearts of fans with his heroics on the pitch, leading the club to victory in the UEFA Europa League and establishing himself as a bona fide superstar. Those red and white stripes and big names beside him helped get him to where he needed to be.
Shirts, shirts, shirts. These are practically everywhere.
Take your pick and give about £60 for the privilege. Anything more than that is pushing it, I think!
AS Monaco (2013/2014 & 2016-2019)
In 2013, Falcao made a high-profile move to AS Monaco in Ligue 1, where things started poorly.
A potentially career-ending injury rendered his start to the glitz and glamorous world of Monaco a stuttered one, and it was tough-and-go for a while to see if he could overcome that. Loan moves to Manchester United and Chelsea only made things worse, but he was a changed best when he returned three seasons after he signed.
Wearing the iconic red and white jersey (similar to River’s), El Tigre spearheaded the club’s resurgence and played a pivotal role in guiding them to the Ligue 1 title in the 2016-2017 season.
Despite facing adversity in the form of injuries and setbacks, Radamel Falcao remained a talismanic figure for Monaco, leading by example on and off the pitch. And that City game, wow!
Shirts are quite prevalent in today’s market, but as the last mark of the striker’s legacy, they are very popular. About £90 is a more-than-fair price for a pristine Falcao x Monaco shirt.
Summary
Radamel Falcao is not only a brilliant football player.
He’s also a highly collectible one.
His shirts have ‘eye appeal’, he has played in multiple countries at multiple stages of his (and their) development; endearing himself to numerous sets of fanbases in the process.
He’s likeable, memorable and a worthy addition to any collector’s wardrobe.
Which of these Radamel Falcao football shirts would you most like to have?