Falcão (futsal player)


Alessandro Rosa Vieira, known as Falcão, is a Brazilian retired professional futsal player. He is known for his flashy and potent dribbling skills and a powerful and accurate left foot. He is also the world's all-time leading goalscorer in men's international matches. He has named Best Player in the World four times and won the FIFA Futsal World Cup Golden Shoe in 2004 and the Golden Ball in 2004 and 2008.

Career

After a brief spell playing association football with São Paulo Futebol Clube during the first half of 2005, including in the 2005 Copa Libertadores, Falcão returned to futsal. He currently represents :pt:Futsal Brasil Kirin|Futsal Brasil Kirin, AKA Sorocaba, a team from Sorocaba, São Paulo. In 2004, 2006, 2011 and 2012, he was recognized as the Best Futsal Player of the World. On 26 June 2015, Falcão joined Nottingham Forest's futsal team for a tournament in Kuwait. He also played in the inaugural season of Premier Futsal for Chennai 5's. He scored five goals for his team in the tournament.
Internationally, Falcão scored 393 goals in 201 appearances for Brazil. In the 2004 and 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cups, he was recognised by FIFA as the Best Player of the tournaments. In 2008 and 2012, he helped Brazil win their 4th and 5th title in the FIFA Futsal World Cup. On 22 September 2016, Falcão retired from the Brazil national team after they were eliminated by Iran in the round of 16 at the 2016 World Cup. Despite the early exit, he managed to score 10 goals, winning the Bronze Shoe, and ultimately becoming the all-time top goalscorer in FIFA Futsal World Cup history, having scored 48 times. Falcão is considered by many football experts and players the greatest player in futsal history.

Honours

Club