Falcao at Rayo Vallecano: the return of a tiger to Spain

The transfer market this year in Europe did not have many relevant movements for Latino players. However, once that transfer window was completed, the return to Spain of one of the most respected figures in world soccer was made official: Radamel Falcao García. The Colombian striker, who at the time was considered one of the best "9" in the world, landed again in the city that saw him triumph years ago, Madrid, only this time with Rayo Vallecano.

Eight years after his last game with Atlético de Madrid, El Tigre once again set foot in the Spanish capital to face a 2021-2022 season where he hopes to recover the level with which he dazzled an entire country through his goals. The signing by the Vallecas club has made a pleasant impression around the world, as fans still have his performances and titles in their minds, something that made him one of the most beloved and remembered idols of Spanish soccer in the last decade.

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In fact, it should be remembered that Falcao's arrival at Atleti in 2011 was due to his two magnificent seasons with Porto, a team with which he won seven titles and scored more than 70 goals. In the summer of that year, the one born in Santa Marta arrived with the star signing poster to such an extent that he became the most expensive soccer player in the team at that time. Was it worth it? In two seasons he scored 70 goals and won a Copa del Rey, a Europe League and a European Super Cup .

A tiger on the loose in Spain

If we do a count of how many center-forwards have stood out at Atlético de Madrid, Falcao's name must be among the first; together with other stars such as Diego Forlán, «Kun» Agüero, Fernando Torres, or Luis Suárez. And it is that in such a short time he was able to earn the respect and admiration of one of the most demanding fans of Spanish soccer based on good performances, but above all for what he arrived: to score goals.

During 2011-2012, the Spanish championship witnessed the Colombian's scoring ability from the first days. In addition to scoring against Barcelona and Real Madrid, Falcao would score hattricks against Racing Santander and Real Sociedad that drove him to finish the league season with 24 goals, only behind the stratospheric records of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Also, internationally he scored 12 more in the Europe League, including his double in the final to lift his first title .

For 2012-2013 things could not start better, since another hattrick of his was decisive to win the Super Cup against Chelsea. His league scoring quota improved by scoring 28 times, including five goals in a match against Deportivo La Coruña. But beyond his individual performance, the most unforgettable thing for both him and the fans was winning the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. In this way, El Tigre culminated his journey on Spanish soil … Until now.

A "3" on the back, a "9" in the area

Since his last presentation in the red and white shirt, Falcao had his adventures in AS Monaco, Manchester United, Chelsea FC and Galatasaray. His performance in recent years in Europe was below normal, partly due to injuries, but that did not prevent his return to La Liga from generating high expectations not only at Rayo Vallecano, but throughout Spain.

And is that after leaving the Turkish team, almost no one imagined that the fate of the Colombian would be in the fourth team in the city of Madrid. The franjirrojos, as Rayo fans are known, are not used to big signings in European soccer, so the media effect caused hundreds of people to line up outside the stadium to see Falcao's presentation. The affection towards the forward was already evident in the area.

Now, with the aim of making history once again, the "9" will try to repeat his scoring records, although this time with an unusual number for a striker: the "3". The reason? Pay tribute to his father, who in life was a central defender and used that number. Regardless of what his jersey indicates, El Tigre only has one thing between his eyebrows: to roar louder than ever. And he has already started his "Pichichi" path by scoring in his debut against Getafe.