Iago Falqué

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Vigo, Galicia, his mother is politician Carmela Silva. Falque began his career with Real Madrid before moving to Barcelona in 2001. After several years in the club's youth ranks, he was never promoted either to the first team of Frank Rijkaard nor B side of Luis Enrique. On 30 August 2008, Falque signed a four-year contract with Juventus, and was officially presented on 2 September 2008. He transferred to the Serie A club on a free deal which included compensation to Barcelona up to €2.5 million if certain matches and goals were reached by the player in his stay with the club. On 25 August 2009, Falque was transferred on loan to Bari, then newly promoted to Serie A. On 29 July 2010, Falque joined Villarreal B on loan with the option to make the deal permanent. On 25 August 2011, Falque joined Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan deal, with an option to make the move permanent. He was first named in a matchday squad on 10 September, remaining unused in a 2–0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and made his debut five days later by starting in a goalless away draw against PAOK in the season's UEFA Europa League. On 16 January 2012, Tottenham signed Falque permanently for €1 million (€250,000 went to Barcelona), loaning him to Championship leaders Southampton for the remainder of the season. He made his Southampton debut seven days later, starting in a 0–2 home loss against Leicester City. Falque did not make another appearance for the Saints, subsequently returning to Tottenham in June 2012. On 18 July he scored in a pre-season 2–0 victory at Stevenage. On 9 December, he played his only Premier League match, appearing for five minutes at the end of a 1–2 loss at Everton as a substitute for striker Jermain Defoe. On 23 January 2013, Falque joined Almería on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut for the Andalusians on 4 February in a 1–2 away loss against Real Madrid Castilla, and scored his first goal on 24 February in a 4–1 home routing over Ponferradina. On 22 August 2013, Falque joined La Liga side Rayo Vallecano in a season-long loan deal, with a buyout clause. He made his division debut eight days later in a 1–2 home loss against Levante. In February 2014, Falque scored his first goals for Rayo, in a 4–1 win over Málaga. On 1 August 2014, Genoa confirmed the signing of Falque. He scored his first Serie A goal on 2 N

In Their Own Story

The floodlights hummed against the November dark. The Olimpico was half-full, the away end a sea of white, but in the dark-red section the noise was a low, constant roar. Falque received the ball on the right of the penalty area, back to goal, two defenders closing. He dropped his shoulder left — they bit — and flicked it right, rolling it past the last marker. The cross was low, cutting, and for a heartbeat the whole pitch held its breath. The ball struck the post with a sound like a crack of thunder, and the granata end exhaled a collective, aching groan. He jogged back, hands on hips, already scanning for the next phase. The crowd's chant swelled again, not in anger, but in the specific, tender frustration of a fan who knows: next time, it goes in. Next time, the magic lands.

Reader's Guide

Iago Falque Silva is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a forward. He was born in Vigo, Galicia, and his mother is politician Carmela Silva. He began his career at Real Madrid before moving to Barcelona's youth system. He signed with Juventus in 2008 and had loan spells at Bari, Villarreal B, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Almería, and Rayo Vallecano. He later played for Genoa, Roma, Torino, Benevento, and América de Cali. He represented Galicia in a 2008 friendly against Iran.

Did You Know?

• Falque's mother is politician Carmela Silva.
• He scored a brace against his parent club Roma while on loan at Torino in September 2016.
• His contract with América de Cali was terminated by mutual agreement after his vehicle was shot at near the training facilities.