Manchester United have seen many top players come to the club with big ambitions over the past decade, and not live up to expectations.
Radamel Falcao did not stand a chance. Louis van Gaal signed Falcao on deadline day in summer 2014, pulling off a surprise move to land the forward on loan.
In the years leading up to the deal, Falcao was the most feared centre-forward in world football, a more pure striker than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.
Then a disastrous move to Monaco saw him suffer a torn ACL and subsequently miss the 2014 World Cup.
The move to Manchester United was Falcao’s attempt to fast-track back to the top. Instead it was simply too much too soon.
Radamel Falcao back in Colombia
Radamel Falcao did eventually re-discover himself at Monaco. Not quite to his previous world-beating levels at Porto and Atletico Madrid, but 30 goals in 43 games in 2016/17 was a welcome return to form after his four-goal season at Old Trafford.
Falcao’s three-year stint at Rayo Vallecano came to an end this summer, where he had been playing alongside former United forward Bebe.
With his stint in European football at a close, Falcao decided to return to Colombia with Millionairos, signing a deal at the age of 38.
He is one of 14 former United first team players active playing outside of Europe, with a career goal tally of more than 300 strikes to his name.
Radamel Falcao’s big ambitions
Falcao is already off the mark for his new club, scoring once so far, and he has made an emotional return against former club River Plate in the Copa Libertadores.
Speaking about his first goal this month, he told ESPN: “I have been dreaming about this for a long time. I had to leave the country when I was very young and this dream was postponed for more than 23 years.
“When I scored the goal I didn’t know what to do, but I can say that it was very exciting and I felt like a child fulfilling that first dream I had.”
Now he is quoted via TMW, admitting he dreams one step further, of a recall for Colombia’s national team – currently ranked as the ninth best international team in the world after reaching the Copa America final.
Falcao said: “My priority is to be a Millonarios, to do my best and, if things go well, maybe I will have more chances to return to the national team.
“I give everything every day, I do my best so that the results come and if things go well I could wear the national team shirt again.”
Falcao meanwhile has a minor reality check. He has suffered a calf injury in Millionairos’ last match, and faces a short spell on the sidelines.
At 38, the veteran striker earning a recall would be quite the story. He has 105 caps in total through his career, with the last month in March 2023.
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