Alessandro Rosa Vieira, known as Falcao, is widely regarded as the ultimate futsal icon. The Brazilian star recently stopped in Madrid on his way to Mallorca. Where he plans to attend the Intercontinental Cup next Saturday, featuring Illes Balears Palma Futsal against Magnus in Son Moix. Before heading to Mallorca, he watched Real Madrid’s loss to Barcelona from a private box at the Santiago Bernabéu, alongside Rodrygo and his father. “Rodrygo has been my friend since my Santos days. I have a photo of Pelé, Neymar, Ganso, and him as a child, and I’ve had a good relationship with his father for years,” he shared. Reflecting on the match, Falcao noted, “Real Madrid went 42 games without losing, and I was there with Rodrygo. A historic day—4-0 against Barcelona is a big deal, though it’s a shame it went the other way while I was there.”
falcao 96 hour tour
Falcao’s brief 96-hour stay in Madrid was packed with activities. He expressed disappointment at Vinicius Junior missing out on the Balon d’Or. On Friday, he dined with Roberto Carlos, and on Sunday, he spent time with Ronaldo Nazario da Lima. “Having the respect of these legends means a lot, especially since I’m in a sport that doesn’t get the same visibility as football,” he emphasized.
While enjoying his time at the Santiago Bernabéu, Falcao pondered why Real Madrid has never fielded a futsal team. “It’s perplexing; people in Brazil are confused. Financially, it would be straightforward for a soccer giant like Real Madrid to have a futsal team. There’s plenty of money, and a gym is available,” he explained. He even speculated about a potential partnership between Movistar Inter and Real Madrid, unaware of the longstanding rivalry between Florentino Perez and Jose Maria Garcia. Falcao suggested, “If I met with the president, I’d tell him they have a strong team and that having a futsal team would be the easiest and quickest option.”
real madrid futsal
He expressed his willingness to assist in this endeavor, noting the positive impact a Real Madrid futsal team would have. “I spoke to Ronaldo about this, and he said he would discuss it with the president. A Real Madrid futsal team could generate a small fraction of the income from a soccer match. You just need to manage it well, and it would be fantastic for futsal.” Despite Falcao’s suggestions, Real Madrid dismissed the idea of starting a futsal team years ago, particularly during a decline in popularity for the sport. In contrast, FC Barcelona has become a dominant force in futsal. Falcao remarked, “For players, wearing the Barcelona shirt is a huge honor,” citing his compatriot Pito as a testament to that.
Though Falcao never played in Europe, he was often tempted, especially by offers from clubs like Jimbee. He acknowledged that if the allure of the Barcelona shirt had been stronger at the time, it might have changed his career path. Reflecting on his career, he admitted a lingering frustration: “My greatest regret is not returning to Corinthians to play for its fans,” reminiscing about his time at Santos, his boyhood club, which lasted just a year.
On the emergence of Saudi Arabian clubs in futsal, Falcao said it’s important for the Arab market to expand, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo’s team. He also emphasized that many great Brazilian players begin their careers in futsal, claiming, “Ronaldo, despite his injuries and history, would be one of the greatest centers of all time.” In his all-time soccer lineup, he included Roberto Carlos and Neymar, highlighting his close ties with Neymar’s family.
real madrid fc
Surprisingly, Falcao expressed admiration for Real Madrid players Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, noting their understanding of the game. “These players see the game in 360 degrees. They receive the ball in one area while anticipating the play elsewhere; that’s what futsal is about,” he explained.
Though Falcao initially explored soccer, he ultimately returned to futsal, where he cemented his legacy. One of his successors, Leozinho, turned down an offer from Barcelona. “I advised him that he could earn significantly more if he played in Europe. In Spain, he could be one of the highest-paid players,” he joked.
As futsal seeks to attract new fans, Falcao believes Leozinho could be a key figure. “He has the potential to be a standout player. He continues to chase his dream of playing football, but if a good opportunity arises, I think he should consider returning to futsal. It’s ultimately his decision, and we’ll support him.”
Unofficial Cup
Next Saturday, Illes Balears Palma Futsal will face Magnus in the final of the 2024 Intercontinental Cup at Son Moix, where tickets are sold out. The tournament features two of the best teams globally: the two-time European champions and the Copa Libertadores titleholders. The cup, while unofficial, will have UEFA observers in attendance and is organized by two Mallorcan companies. A trophy, an artistic piece made of chromed stainless steel rods topped with a blue glass ball crafted from recycled bottles, symbolizes the champion lifting the world after victory.
