CARLOS ANTONIO VÉLEZ LE DIO A FALCAO GARCÍA CON TODO POR ESTAR EN MEDIOS Y SU PASADO EN MILLONARIOS

Carlos Antonio Vélez called out Falcao García for criticizing Colombian football but not the Colombian National Team * Although it's not a new topic on the Colombian football agenda or in the country's sports media, analyst Carlos Antonio Vélez's criticism of Radamel Falcao García Zárate did not go unnoticed after the Colombian National Team's painful elimination in the Round of 16 of the 2016 World Cup. This occurred on various programs, segments, and videos featuring the experienced commentator, who made harsh remarks about the all-time leading scorer for the Colombian national team. It all started during an ESPN and Disney+ broadcast, a production to which the Santa Marta native was invited as a special commentator. On that occasion, Falcao stated that major changes were needed in the structure of Colombian football and in the decisions of some directors, whom he accused of showing "mediocrity" and "laziness" by not implementing more promotion categories, not allocating resources for youth and children's divisions, not creating a conducive environment for developing more high-level footballers, and not keeping pace with other countries. Well, a few hours later, and with little reference to the 'Tiger's' words, Vélez hinted at his disagreement with these criticisms, although without mentioning the footballer's name in that initial statement. However, the following day, having learned all the points García Zárate had raised, the commentator from Manizales launched a series of criticisms and comments in response; these were broadcast on Win Sports programs and on his personal YouTube channel. Aside from stating that Falcao García was wrong because Colombian football at its grassroots level was neither the origin nor the source of players for the Colombian National Team, the renowned media personality questioned the striker's seriousness and impartiality because he had been a teammate of several players who were at the 2026 World Cup (including James Rodríguez and David Ospina) and because he had been coached by Néstor Lorenzo in previous years. But the most striking point was what Carlos Antonio Vélez recalled about Falcao García's time at Millonarios, where the striker aimed to lead the team he supports to titles and good results, ultimately failing in the attempt. The Win Sports and RCN commentator emphasized this point considerably. So much so that he insinuated, with mockery and sarcasm, that the “mediocrity” and “laziness” lay with the executives who signed expensive, aging players nearing the end of their careers, thus preventing the Colombian Professional Football League (FPC) from evolving and having better resources for young talent. However, a large part of the Colombian football press and opinion community backed Falcao's criticisms and complaints, including influential voices such as Hernán Peláez, Javier Hernández Bonnet, Alejandro Pino, Juan Felipe Cadavid, Eduardo Luis López, Germán Arango, Diego Rueda, Juan José Buscalia, and Julián Capera, among others. Statements were also added by figures who have been involved in Colombian football in various capacities, such as Julio Comesaña, Óscar Pareja, and Adrián Magnoli. Among the general public and fans of the Colombian national team, the situation was somewhat nuanced: while the vast majority supported the star player, a small group of supporters criticized Falcao García, arguing that he hadn't won any titles with the national team and, like Vélez, brought up his time at Millonarios. YOUTUBE SOURCES: RCN Deportes Channel @DeportesRCN ESPN Channel @ESPNFans Carlos Antonio Vélez Channel @VelezFutbolCAV Blu Radio Colombia Channel @bluradioco AS Colombia Channel @AS_COLOMBIA Hernán Peláez and Martín de Francisco Channel @PelaezyDeFrancisco Caracol Radio Channel @CaracolRadioOficial Alejandro Pino Channel @pinocalad Win Sports Channel @winsportstv