Colombian superstar Radamel Falcao hailed David Beckham's ongoing efforts to bring an MLS expansion team to Miami on Monday, speaking out in favor of the project as his club AS Monaco prepare to meet Atlético Nacional, one of his homeland's most popular teams, in an exhibition match at Marlins Park.
"Miami has great potential to have a club," he told reporters after a training session at Florida International University. "It has a huge Latin American population that is deeply passionate for this sport."
One of the world's most feared strikers, Falcao injured his knee earlier this year and narrowly missed out on the FIFA World Cup as a result. But his country shined in Brazil even in his absence, advancing to the quarterfinals before bowing out to the host nation.
He's one of the biggest draws for Wednesday night's friendly at Miami's downtown baseball stadium, and mayor Tomas Regalado presented him with a ceremonial key to the city in a downtown meeting after Monday's training.
Falcao believes that the region's deep love for the beautiful game makes it a natural fit for an MLS franchise. Beckham and his partners are currently searching for a site that would become the home of a new, soccer-specific venue for the team.
"I'm an advocate to have a stadium that's easily accesible to the people, where they can have the opportunity to support their team," said Falcao, "and I think that David Beckham's initiative needs to have full support from everyone, because this city deserves it."
