Falcao, a book double

To the Tiger not only is he seen, he is also read. His graceful and accurate movements on the green evoke the documentaries of National Geographic, but the books reveal a dimension of Falcao hitherto unknown to the general public. The person behind the footballer. The star who follows in the footsteps of his pack, a family where sport was his food, not only biological, but also spiritual. Something that perfectly represents his number, the ‘3’, that of his father. The figure that marked and continues to lead the way.

Currently on the market there are two windows to peek into the most intimate Falcao. Two biographies. ‘Falcao. Born for the goal ‘(Al Poste, 2013), written by our colleague from Diario AS Francisco Javier Díaz and ‘The Tiger of God’ (Penguin Random House, 2014), by also journalist Javier León Herrera. Both came to light during the forward’s stage at Atlético and gave way to a documentary about the player, ‘Falcao, a dream and a life lesson’, made by his uncle Herbert King and broadcast on Colombian television.

The pages of these two works are dotted with dozens of curiosities, such as Falcao’s dabbling with baseball —He combined it with soccer as a child in Venezuela and had great qualities, evolving especially as a pitcher and shortstop—, your journalistic concerns —During his time at River, he began his career in the afternoon shift at the University of Palermo, getting a 7 in writing and an 8 in sports journalism, his discreet life in Madrid —Being an Atlético player, he lived in La Finca and liked to go unnoticed, he wore sunglasses and a cap to go to the movies and would fill up on gasoline from 11:00 p.m. his homely character and his love for Lorelei —The couple met in the evangelical church and the Argentine is a singer and songwriter, in fact, she released a single ‘Hay una luz’ produced by Carlos Jean—, your Foundation to help families without resources —With football also present so that the little ones can have a chance— or your trip to Disney —He fulfilled his dream and took his parents and sisters as soon as he stood out in River, where he already coincided with the cholo-.

That boy who, at only two years old, wore Maradona’s shirt under his school uniform has become a planetary star, something that contrasts with his humble character. A feature that both authors highlight. “The history of Falcao is a history of overcoming. We investigated its roots and discovered that he is a reflection of everything he breathed: humility, perseverance, improvement, values ​​… His surroundings were excited with the idea of ​​telling his life. Tiger He has always shown a lot of personality, he wanted to be a top-level footballer and he succeeded. He always burned stages well ahead of boys his age, “explains Díaz.

Another marked feature of his being is spirituality. “It is an aspect without which the life of Falcao cannot be understood. It was clear to me that this approach should be present in the book and that inspired me for the title. His faith always caught my attention. It is striking that characters with such great relevance in public opinion have that rectitude and strength that makes them succeed. In many periods of his career, especially as a young man, if he had not had those foundations he would have collapsed. His beliefs have been a constant in his life to face all kinds of setbacks “, argues León, who immediately points to one of the hardest:” The loss of his father, Radamel García. He was her cornerstone. He was a professional soccer player —central— and had to seek life in Colombia and Venezuela“.

His experience served as a key for his son to successfully solve all the situations that appeared along the way. In fact, Javier León remembers an anecdote that occurred during that final of the Europa League, on May 9, 2012, in which Falcao doubled against Athletic, thus leaving the title for Atlético on a tray (3-0). “The movement of the play of the first goal had been taught to him by his father. He made a feint, then turned to the left and, already at an angle of fire, he sought the far post with his less skilled leg. That is why he dedicated it to him. His complicity and advice were very important to Tiger. If it hadn’t been for the father, it would have been more complicated for him to become the figure that he is.“, confesses the journalist.

Falcao continues to emanate those values ​​from the cradle. Now, at 35, he maintains that speech that has made him transcend the pitch. “He is not a regular footballer. When he achieves something, he always puts his teammates and the team ahead. Everyone speaks well of him and that is for something “, reasons the AS editor, who applauds his landing in Vallecas:” He was one of the best ‘9’ of Atlético. His signing for Rayo is one of the LaLiga signings, which had been orphaned of references. The franjirrojos will benefit from his seniority, his goals and everything he transmits. “

His arrival has unleashed the Falcaomania, as happened in his time as a mattress maker, when he sold more T-shirts than the Kun Agüero and Forlán. Today, obtaining the Ray is mission impossible. It is the most valued object among its compatriots because Tiger is still his most beloved idol. “Even in his lowest moments, his charisma and depth in Colombia has been enormous. There was a time when James, being a Real Madrid player, passed him in popularity, but he has always preserved that affection of the people because it is simple, transparent, hard-working … That stuck, “says León.

For all that, their respective works were a success in those latitudes. “We had to put out another issue with a poster. There is a reference, it goes beyond what a player is. He is your best ambassador. Colombia became red and white for him and for Perea “, recalls Díaz, whose voice is broken by the reception of Falcao himself:”When I brought the post to him he was excited and thanked me that someone had thought of him“. Javier León’s book also triumphed:” The children took it as a reference and that fills me with pride for the values ​​set forth. It is a great life lesson and can be pedagogical“.

His hair looks shorter. The furrows on his face are more marked. The years have passed — a decade, to be exact — but there are eternal things about Falcao. One is his love affair with the goal and the other is the reaction he provokes in people. Another almost platonic romance. “He does not lose his sense of smell and from time to time his can mean a lot to the Lightning. Spread positive things to the rest. It has overcome all kinds of obstacles and is the mirror in which the youngest can look at themselves “, analyzes the editor of AS.”If the injuries respect him, he will score many goals … They will fall out of his pockets! And in Colombia the Rayo brand will be listed on the rise. Well, surely the River fans are also celebrating that the Strip is showing off again, “jokes León, who predicts a promising future for him:”Vallecana fans will find in Tiger the shape of your shoe, for the values ​​that both share. Wherever this boy goes, something good has to happen. “The Lightning can attest.