Falco stays loyal to Porto

Colombian striker Radamel Falcao has made public his desire to remain with Porto and tackle the Champions League next season.

Falcao, 25, netted the winner in Porto’s 1-0 Europa League final victory against fellow Portuguese team Braga on Wednesday.

The goal was Falcao’s 18th in the competition; he had already overtaken Jurgen Klinsmann’s record of 15 strikes in a single UEFA Cup campaign.

His form in an all-conquering Porto team has reportedly attracted interest from across Europe.

But the former River Plate man is apparently content to remain at the Estadio Dragao, at least for next season.

“I am just thinking about enjoying this right now and Porto wants me a lot. The truth is I want to be at Porto and enjoy it,” Falcao said in the wake of their cup final triumph.

Falcao is contracted to Porto until the end of the 2012/13 season.

The club are apparently keen for him to sign a contract extension intended to ward off interest or ensure a sizeable transfer fee if he does move on.

“Both sides seem to be available and we will see about that during the next year,” Falcao said, referring to the prospect of a new deal.

“Of course, one day I might play in other leagues, of course there are expectations, but now I want to enjoy this and take Porto to the Champions League next year.”

Falcao’s headed goal just before half-time ultimately decided the final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

Chances were limited in the match, but fortunately for Porto, their key man was characteristically cool under pressure.

“It was a moment in which I had to stay very calm and when I saw the ball in the air, I had to wait for the right moment to head it,” he said.

“It’s the happiest day of my life, I dreamt of this since I was a boy.”

Following their Liga Sagres and Europa League triumphs, Porto can complete a famous treble with victory in the Portuguese Cup final against Vitoria Guimaraes on Sunday.