Atletico star Falcao eyes La Liga crown

Radamel Falcao believes Atletico Madrid can win the La Liga title despite conceding they are not ‘one of the biggest teams in Spain’.

Both reigning champions Real Madrid and Barcelona finished 30 points clear of third-placed Valencia last season with Atletico in fifth.

But despite finishing last season 44 points behind their city rivals Real, Falcao continues to dream of winning La Liga with Atletico.

“I am aware that Real Madrid and Barcelona are in a higher level than other teams in the league, but I would love to win a local title,” Falcao told Goal.com.

“I have set goals and challenges to myself and one of them is to fight to win the title or reach the Champions League.

“I know it’s very hard to win the league but the challenge remains because each team has goals according to their capabilities.”

Atletico Madrid could manage only a 1-1 draw away to Levante in their opening match of the season with Falcao setting up Arda Turan for their goal.

New signings Cata Diaz and Cristian Rodriguez both started in that game, while Atletico’s other recent acquisition Emre Belozoglu remained on the bench.

Falcao believes the new trio could take Atletico to the next level.

“Hopefully this season, with new signings, we may be better prepared to fight with those above us,” Falcao said.

The 26-year-old striker was brilliant in his opening La Liga season, scoring 36 goals for Atletico.

But Falcao has resisted being compared with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after finishing third behind them in last season’s goal-scoring charts although he did not rule out one day challenging the top two forwards in Spain.

“Messi and Ronaldo are certainly the best in the world, I’m only making my name,” Falcao said.

“I am well aware that my season was very good, especially as I’m not playing in one of the biggest teams in Spain.

“I hope to improve and, certainly, as you gain an international position, facts will speak for themselves.”