Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao netted his 21st international goal for Colombia this week but in another life he might have been playing for England.
The striker’s English heritage has come to light after it was revealed his Yorkshire-born great grandfather was murdered while living in Colombia.
With roots less than 100miles from Old Trafford, Falcao might have been lining up alongside club captain Wayne Rooney in Estonia had his application for a British passport not been denied aged 13.
Falcao’s father, also named Radamel, put in the request for a British passport in the hope it would help his son with a future move to Europe.
“He was probably about 13 so I went down to the embassy thinking that a British passport would help him with a move to Europe,” Falcao Sr. told the Daily Mail.
“Unfortunately it got rejected.
“I’m proud of my English blood. My grandfather was English and also a sportsman.”
George King, Falcao Jr.’s great grandfather, was a keen golfer who left England for Colombia in 1932 to work for the United Fruit Company.
He was widowed when his wife died in childbirth but found love again marrying a Colombian, Juliana.
The couple had five children, including Denis, the grandmother of the former Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco striker.
However, King’s time in Colombia came to a tragic end when his company was put into liquidation and he was charged with distributing the finances to sort it out.
“They gave him the money to sort out, but as he was leaving he was murdered by people who stole the money,” Mr King’s daughter Denis told the Daily Mail.
If Falcao’s loan deal becomes permanent next summer, the 28-year-old will be just four short years from having the chance to apply for British residency once more.
The striker has scored once, the winner in a 2-1 win over Everton, in four appearances since joining United on transfer deadline day.
Main image courtesy of Prensa Reynosa via YouTube, with thanks.
