Colombian soccer star Radamel Falcao attended an event on Wednesday to raise funds for the Soccer with Heart Foundation.
The player who scored a goal against Chile in Tuesday’s match, has struck a deal with the Hublot watch brand which has dedicated $1,000 to the foundation for every watch sold with exclusive reference to the player.
The Soccer with Heart Foundation according to its website aims to provide educational opportunities and social change to underprivileged children through the medium of sport.
The famed athlete said that the foundation gives a great opportunity to vulnerable Colombian children.
“I hope that with the individual triumphs and the selection they can spread something different through sport to all the children of Colombia,” said Falcao.
“With sacrifice and dedication anything is possible,” said the sportsman, who recalled that he had traveled to Argentina at a young age with the express intent of becoming a great athlete.
The Colombian referred to his good performance in Europe this year and a possible Golden Ball nomination, adding that Colombian players abroad are demonstrating that we need to take more notice of them.
“I am competing at the highest level. I know that more notice is often taken of players of other nationalities, but the Colombian players in Europe are showing that this must change.”
El Tigre also attributed much of his success to his psychological preparation. “It’s easy to be the most physically strong, but the head can do great things,” he said.
The Colombian soccer phenomenon also mentioned the new mentality surrounding the national team thanks to the Argentine coach Jose Pekerman Nestor.
“The Colombian player was always technically rich but now he is becoming tactically rich,” said the player, adding that the goal is for the national selection to be protagonists of Brazil 2014.