When Legends Get Sculpted: The Falcao Statue That Sparked a Global Meme
3 February 2026
A statue that misses the mark
Instead of becoming a symbol of pride, Radamel Falcao's statue turned into a talking point for ridicule and controversy after a shocking design sparked wide criticism on social media in Colombia and beyond.
The artwork, unveiled as a tribute to the Colombian star, was created by sculptor Roberto Mitchell and recently revealed to public attention. It did not meet the expectations of fans who hoped for a fitting homage.
The statue, made of iron painted with copper oxide, stands 1.7 meters tall and weighs about 195 kilograms, far from the ferocious image of the Tiger that once haunted Europe’s defenses for years.
The statue was placed at the 3001 entertainment center in Bahia Concha, one of Colombia’s most iconic seaside tourist spots, and decorated with the phrase “A tribute in his lifetime,” referencing a celebration while Falcao is still alive.
The funding came from a Colombian businessman who admires the veteran star; the intention was to memorialize an outstanding career, but the result was the opposite.
Social media offered no mercy. As soon as photos circulated, mocking comments poured in. Marca translated some of the sharp remarks, including comparisons of the statue to a hungry tiger—an obvious jab at Falcao’s famous nickname.
The sculptor wasn’t spared either; memes and quips circulated like: “He got closer... but not close enough,” and “Art runs through his veins... but the direction is wrong.”
Despite the controversy, Falcao remains one of Colombia’s greatest players, his career a big part of the football landscape, even if the statue let him down.
His trophy cabinet includes two European league titles with Porto and Atlético Madrid, the European Super Cup with Atlético, league titles in Portugal (twice) and in France with Monaco, and domestic glory with River Plate in Argentina, plus a continental title with Colombia’s under-20 team.
Punchline 1: If sculpture is supposed to immortalize legends, this piece proves you can’t hurry genius—sometimes you just need a bigger hammer and a better sightline.
Punchline 2: They say art imitates life; in this case, life imitated critique, and the statue imitated none of Falcao’s moves—except maybe the one where it deflects all the applause elsewhere.
