Radamel Falcao
The striker who scored twice in the Europa League final and a hat-trick in the UEFA Super Cup for Atlético Madrid.
Radamel Falcao García Zárate, nicknamed "El Tigre", joined Atlético Madrid in August 2011 from Porto. In his first season, he won the UEFA Europa League, scoring twice in the final. The following season, he scored a hat-trick in Atlético's win against Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup and helped the club win the Copa del Rey. His time at the club was marked by high goal-scoring efficiency and European success.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Radamel Falcao García Zárate
- Born
- 10 February 1986
- Birthplace
- Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia
- Height
- 1.77 m / 5 ft 10 in
- Position
- Striker
Lore & Background
Falcao's arrival at Atlético Madrid in August 2011 came after a record-breaking Europa League campaign with Porto, where he scored 17 goals. He immediately replicated that form in Madrid. In the 2011–12 season, he scored twice in the Europa League final, securing the title for Atlético. The following year, he scored a hat-trick against Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup, a performance that defined his reputation as a big-game player. He also helped the club win the Copa del Rey in 2012–13. Despite interest from top European clubs, he left for Monaco in 2013 for €60 million, one of the most expensive transfers at the time.
Reader's Guide
Radamel Falcao's era at Atlético Madrid (2011–2013) was defined by his goal-scoring in European competitions. He joined after winning the Europa League with Porto, where he set a competition record of 17 goals. At Atlético, he won the Europa League again in 2012, scoring twice in the final. In 2012–13, he scored a hat-trick in the UEFA Super Cup win over Chelsea and helped the club win the Copa del Rey. He left for Monaco in 2013 for €60 million.
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