Inside Radamel Falcao's career - from Man Utd humiliation to Rayo Vallecano revival

As Radamel Falcao turns 36, it is a fitting time to reflect on a career that has seen the Colombian international ply his trade for nine different teams in seven different countries across 22 years.

"El Tigre" is widely regarded as one of the finest strikers of his generation, though question marks hang over the former FC Porto striker for his questionable two-season stint in the Premier League.

Prior to arriving on these shores, Falcao made his name in Portugal after two stellar years at Porto followed an impressive five-year period at River Plate and put his name on the transfer shortlist of plenty of major clubs across the continent.

It was Atletico Madrid who would secure his signature in 2011 after they forked out an eyewatering £40million to make Falcao the most expensive player in the club's illustrious history.

He took very little time to adjust to life in the Spanish capital and notched a hat-trick on his home debut during a 4-0 win over Racing Santander to start as he meant to go on.

By the end of his debut season for Los Colchoneros, Falcao had become the first player ever to win two successive Europa League titles with two different clubs after following up his success with Porto in emphatic fashion at the first attempt.

His second season at Atletico started in similar fashion with two hat-tricks, the second against Chelsea in the 2012 UEFA Super Cup as the striker inspired his side to a rampant 4-1 win.

By this time, Falcao was viewed as arguably the most lethal striker on the planet and fifth in the 2012 Ballon d'Or.

But much like his time at Porto, Falcao was to be on the move again just two years later when he was lured to the millionaires playground that is Monaco.

He had been on the radar of