A new statue honoring Colombian football icon Radamel Falcao was unveiled in Santa Marta on February 6, 2026, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. Intended to celebrate the legacy of one of the country’s most decorated strikers, the monument has instead sparked outrage, ridicule, and widespread calls for its removal. Fans, critics, and even former teammates have described the sculpture as a “complete failure” — poorly proportioned, awkwardly tilted, lacking dynamism, and painted in colors that many say distort the player’s iconic image.

The bronze statue stands approximately 2.5 meters tall on a simple concrete plinth in the city’s Parque de los Novios, a popular public space. Falcao is depicted in a classic goal-celebration pose — arms outstretched, mouth open in triumph — wearing the yellow Colombia national team jersey. However, almost every aspect of the execution has been heavily criticized. The torso leans noticeably to the right, giving the impression that the figure is about to topple. The legs appear disproportionately short, while the head and neck are elongated in an unnatural way. The facial features have been described as “generic” and lacking the sharp, intense expression that made Falcao instantly recognizable during his peak years. The paintwork has also drawn ire: the yellow of the jersey is overly pale, the red details look faded, and the skin tone has been called “unnatural” and “washed out.”

Social media exploded within minutes of the unveiling. Videos and photos of the statue quickly went viral, with many comparing it unfavorably to other infamous football sculptures — from the “Ugly Ronaldo” bust in Madeira to the Cristiano Ronaldo statue in Moscow that was mocked worldwide. Hashtags such as #FalcaoFail, #EstatuaDeFalcao and #QuéEsEsto began trending across Colombia, Mexico, and other countries where Falcao played professionally. One widely shared comment summed up the sentiment: “This isn’t a tribute — it’s an insult.”

Falcao himself has not yet made a public statement about the statue. However, close associates say he was shown images of the finished work shortly before the ceremony and was visibly disappointed. The former Atlético Madrid, Porto, Monaco, and Manchester United striker has long been a beloved figure in Colombia — the country’s most prolific goalscorer of all time, a two-time Europa League winner, and the man who carried national hopes during two World Cups. Many fans feel the statue fails to reflect the power, elegance, and charisma that defined his career.

The sculptor, a local artist named Carlos Ramírez, defended the work in a brief interview with regional media. He stated that the leaning posture was intentional — meant to symbolize “a forward pushing against the wind of adversity.” He also claimed the color choices were made to “blend harmoniously with the surroundings.” However, the explanation has done little to quell the backlash. Most commentators have dismissed the justification as an after-the-fact excuse.

The controversy has sparked broader debate about public art in Colombia. Critics argue that too many statues and monuments commissioned by local governments suffer from poor quality control, rushed execution, and lack of consultation with the figures being honored. Others point out that Colombia has produced several excellent sculptors capable of delivering world-class work, yet budget constraints and political favoritism often lead to subpar results. Some have called for an independent review process for future public statues of national heroes.

Local authorities in Santa Marta have so far refused to comment on whether they will take any action. The statue was funded through a combination of municipal resources and private donations from businesses and fans who wanted to honor Falcao’s legacy in his home region. The total cost has not been officially disclosed, though estimates circulating online range between 300 and 500 million Colombian pesos (roughly $70,000–$120,000 USD).

The reaction from former teammates and fellow footballers has ranged from diplomatic silence to open mockery. Former Colombia captain Mario Yepes simply posted a face-palm emoji under one of the viral photos. Radamel García, Falcao’s father, was photographed at the unveiling looking visibly uncomfortable. Several Colombian journalists and pundits have jokingly suggested launching a crowdfunding campaign to “replace the statue with one that actually looks like Falcao.”

Despite the criticism, a small number of voices have defended the monument, arguing that the intention behind it should be respected and that public art does not need to be photorealistic to have value. Yet they remain a distinct minority.

As the debate rages online and in Colombian media, one thing is clear: the statue meant to immortalize one of the nation’s greatest footballers has instead become a national punchline. Whether it will be quietly ignored, dramatically removed, or left standing as a cautionary tale of how not to honor a legend, remains to be seen.

For now, the image of a crooked, oddly proportioned Falcao gazing out over Santa Marta continues to circulate — a monument not to glory, but to a missed opportunity.