Radamel Falcao has talked about the early years of his life and how he became a footballer, following on his father’s footsteps.

“I am chilled and laid-back but very passionate about football and pretty much everything in my life,” he said. “The most important thing is that I give my best wherever I go. I started playing football at five in a little club in Venezuela as a child because my father was playing there already. It was there where I also learned how to play baseball. I was very good at it and played that a lot. When I was a little bit older, my father decided to move to Colombia as he said it would be better for us to be there so that was when we relocated. I gave up baseball and, obviously, went on to play football. He [Falcao’s father] was a very strong defender but he played well with the ball also. It came to my notice very early on from his style that he was a positive player who always played for the team. I quickly realised from watching him what I wanted to be, a footballer like him, and I learned a lot about the game.”

Falcao was named after the Brazilian midfielder who played at the 1982 World Cup, thanks to his dad, and not necessarily to the liking of his mum.

“My parents always said they liked him very much as a player and admired him because of his style of play,” he continued. “So they decided to ascribe his name to me. Although my mother was less in favour and not fully in agreement, my Dad made sure it happened.”

Falcao has links to Selby in Yorkshire, where his grandfather was from, making him part English.

“My maternal grandfather was born in Yorkshire in England but was contracted to work for a company who had a base in Colombia,” he said. “So they moved across to Santa Martre and they liked it very much. It was a sunny place withbeaches and a seafront so they never went back to England and preferred to stay in Colombia. That’s where my grandparents and, of course, my parents are from. So I have English blood running through my veins!”