Atletico move was a step back for Falcao, says Pinto da Costa
Porto president http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Costa-c9458 claims that Radamel Falcao’s switch to Atletico Madrid was a step backwards for the player.
The Colombian International was hailed as one of the best strikers in Europe following some scintillating seasons at Estadio do Dragao. The forward scored prolifically in two terms, netting almost 72 times in 87 appearances.
In the 2010/2011 campaign, Falcao led the Porto line and guided the club to an unprecedented quadruple of the Portuguese Super Cup, Portuguese Cup, Primeira Liga and the UEFA Europa League.
With his goal-scoring feats, the 25-year-old greatly enhanced his reputation and become one of the most coveted assets on the continent. Many sides were keen to acquire his services, but the Dragons initially refused to sell him.
However Atletico were ready to match the Portuguese outfit’s demands and coughed up the hefty €40 million required to secure his services. Falcao agreed to the transfer and ended up plying his trade at Estadio http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 Calderon.
While he has settled well into his new surroundings in Madrid, the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 and in Europe they do not have
the team to challenge for honours anymore.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-c11058 Simeone’s men are likely to end up the term empty-handed and Porto president Pinto da Costa claims that Falcao has taken a step backwards rather than going forward in his career by joining the Mattress Makers.
Speaking to reporters, the superemo said that he warned the Coffee Growers International he would suffer from the quality teammates and that his career would suffer if he joined the Madrid outfit.
"It was predictable. I told Falcao that I thought he would be making a step back in his career. After winning everything last season and becoming the top scorer in the Europa League, I told him he would miss http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Álvaro-c5280 Pereira's crosses, which put the ball on
his head, and the sprints of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hulk-c16436, who gave him so many assists.”
He also added that the front-man chose valued money more than silverware and that’s why he chose to leave Porto.
"He would have none of that and he would go to a club which do not win anything. He made a choice: money over sporting success, so I think he did well in that aspect,” Pinto da Costa was quoted as saying.
While Pinto da Costa claims that Radamel Falcao’s career will go downwards following his move to Atletico Madrid, the attacker can prove the Porto president wrong if he can continue where he left off and help his new club earn silverware.
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