
Falcao marks 46 years since arriving at Roma: the reception that changed everything
Paulo Roberto Falcao marked the 46th anniversary of his arrival at Roma on 10 August, the date he landed at Fiumicino in 1980. The Brazilian midfielder took to social media to reflect on one of football's most celebrated welcomes, describing how more than 6,000 Roma supporters greeted him at the airport despite his not having played a single pass for the club. Falcao became a legend at Roma, enchanting fans with his play in midfield and earning the nickname 'Il Divino'. In his anniversary message, Falcao explained the profound impact of that first moment: "10 August 1980. I landed at Fiumicino without imagining what was waiting for me outside. There were more than 6,000 Roma fans screaming my name, according to the newspapers, and I had not yet made a single pass in that shirt. At that time it was not easy to know players from the other side of the world like it is today. I understood it was not about me, it was about hope and love for the club. I was frightened and received an embrace, all at the same time. Roma welcomed me with open arms before even truly knowing me, and from then on I spent the years trying to repay that." The midfielder added: "Today marks 46 years from that day. Thank you, Roma."


