After Nearly 25 Years Away, Falcao Returns Home to Colombia to Play for Millonarios de Bogotá 

Colombia's Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring against Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny during the group H match at the soccer World Cup at Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia, June 24, 2018. (AP)
Colombia's Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring against Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny during the group H match at the soccer World Cup at Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia, June 24, 2018. (AP)
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After Nearly 25 Years Away, Falcao Returns Home to Colombia to Play for Millonarios de Bogotá 

Colombia's Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring against Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny during the group H match at the soccer World Cup at Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia, June 24, 2018. (AP)
Colombia's Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring against Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny during the group H match at the soccer World Cup at Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia, June 24, 2018. (AP)

After nearly 25 years away, Radamel Falcao is coming back home to Colombia. The 38-year-old striker will play for Millonarios de Bogotá next season, the team announced on Thursday.

Falcao, who played for Chelsea, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid among other clubs in a 15-year career in Europe, has not played in Colombia since 2000, when he did it with Lanceros Boyacá, a second-division club.

With Atletico de Madrid he won the Europa League title in the 2011-12 season.

“Everybody knows that Millonarios is the team of my heart,” Falcao said in a video recording.

Falcao, who is Colombia’s all-time scoring leader with 36 goals, arrives to Millonarios after spending three seasons with Rayo Vallecano, in Spain, where he scored 12 goals in 80 matches.

Falcao, who will play in Colombia’s top flight for the first time in his career, signed a six-month contract, the team announced. Millonarios will play against River Plate in Argentina on July 9th, although it’s unclear if Falcao will be able to play in that match.

Falcao played four seasons with River Plate before signing with Porto for the 2009 season. In Portugal he won two league titles and the Europa League.

He also played for Monaco and Galatasaray.



Man City in Danger of Missing Champions League, Says Guardiola

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Manchester City - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2024, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Manchester City - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2024, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
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Man City in Danger of Missing Champions League, Says Guardiola

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Manchester City - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2024, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Manchester City - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2024, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)

Manchester City are at risk of missing out on next season's Champions League due to their recent dip in form, manager Pep Guardiola said.

City, who are looking to qualify for Europe's top club competition for a 15th straight season, have won just one of their last eight Premier League games and are seventh, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Guardiola's side are four points behind Nottingham Forest, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification berth.

"When I said before, people laughed. They said, 'qualifying for the Champions League is not a big success'. But I know it because it happens with clubs in this country," Guardiola told reporters ahead of their home match against Everton.

"They were dominant for many years and after there were many years not qualifying for the Champions League. The one team that has been in the Champions League for the past years has been Manchester City. Now we are at risk, of course we are."

After hosting Everton later on Thursday City travel to face Leicester City on Dec. 29.