Top 50 Footballers In The World: The Definitive List

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7. Monaco and Colombia striker Radamel Falcao

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Colombian striker Radamel Falcao has quickly become one of the world’s most deadly finishers in the last four years, and has just finished a summer of speculation by joining big-spending French side Monaco for £51million, despite strong interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

The 27-year-old started his career in Argentina with River Plate, before joining Porto for what now looks a superb piece of business for just over £3million. The talented striker was an immediate hit in European football, scoring 34 goals in his first season with the club. The following year, he managed 38, and was in superb form to fire Andre Villas-Boas’ side to the treble, scoring the winning goal in the Europa League final against Braga, taking his total to 17 goals from 14 games in the tournament, breaking the previous record held by Jurgen Klinsmann.

His form attracted attention from a host of top clubs, but Atletico Madrid won the race for his signature as they signed him for £34million, finding themselves with money to spend following the lucrative sale of Sergio Aguero to Manchester City. Falcao has been phenomenal in his time in Spain, scoring 70 goals in 90 appearances for Atletico, once again winning the Europa League with a fine performance in the final, scoring two goals in a 3-0 win. In his second season with the club, Falcao scored an astonishing five goals against Deportivo, becoming the first player in La Liga in over a decade to net five goals in a game. He helped them become title challengers and also win the Copa Del Rey final, as he provided a quality assist in the final victory over rivals Real Madrid.

Falcao is certainly a player capable of starring in any team in the world, but made a somewhat surprise decision to join Monaco this summer, as the wealthy Ligue 1 side are determined to become a force in the European game with some big-name signings. Falcao will be joined by Joao Moutinho, James Rodriguez and possibly more star players, and it will be interesting to see whether Falcao can fire this new-look side to glory.

Many will be disappointed he hasn’t chosen to stay in the major leagues in Spain or England, but there’s no doubt Falcao has the ability to lift this growing club to glory, and he should maintain his status as one of the best players in he world.


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