Say the name Radamel Falcao to an avid football fan and immediately memories are conjured of a powerful forward with the deft touch of an artist careering through defences and scoring the most sublime of goals.
Heroics for Porto, Atletico Madrid and the Colombian national team come to mind, when the man they call El Tigre was very much in his pomp.
His failed Premier League tenures with Manchester United and Chelsea have, however, heartily contributed to the narrative that Falcao is past it, another addition to European football's has-been pile.
And so, when just a couple of months ago Turkish giants Galatasaray decided Falcao needed to head for the exit door in order to ease the burden on club finances, the end naturally looked near.
Radamel Falcao was offered redemption by Rayo Vallecano and is producing the goods
With three goals in three games the veteran striker is full of smiles and high spirits again
The Colombian was sadly deemed surplus to requirements.
So much so that he was urged to rapidly find a new club and benched for Galatasaray's Europa League qualifying match with Scottish outfit St Johnstone.
At the age of 35, when this sort of ultimatum comes the future rarely looks bright. Falcao himself perhaps momentarily considered the time was ripe to finally call it a day, and many fans were thinking likewise.
But then, with one call from a little known yet ambitious LaLiga outfit, everything changed...
The last danceNewly promoted Rayo Vallecano made it clear to Falcao from the outset that he would be the main man at the club, despite their budget being vastly inferior to the sort of riches he had become accustomed to.
Still, after terminating his contract in Turkey, Falcao was more than happy to make the switch back to the Spanish top flight, where he previously enjoyed much success with Atletico Madrid.
Playing in the famous white and red stripes in the Spanish capital, Falcao scored 70 goals in 91 appearances for Atletico, winning the Europa League along the way during a spell of just over two years with the club.
Now, in the twilight of his career, Falcao packed his bags and headed back to the country that had treated him so well, with a point to prove.
Falcao's goals have seen minnows Real Vallecano soar up the table as a result, into fifth place
After gaining promotion to the Spanish top flight, Real Vallecano knew swift action needed to be taken after losing their opening two matches and conceding four goals along the way.
Falcao pictured with his family at his unveiling as a Real Vallecano player
Both Sevilla and Real Sociedad gave the plucky challengers a sharp reminder of what it means to be a LaLiga side, and it was therefore a case of right time, right place when the club delved into the transfer market to discover Falcao was, somehow, available.
A deal was quickly struck, with El Tigre making minimal fuss of the minor contract details, providing he could get up and running in the squad as soon as possible.
Perhaps the uplift of Falcao's imminent arrival boosted the squad, as a 4-0 victory over Granada in late August would suggest.
Nevertheless, it took just one match for Falcao to get going. Getafe were the opponents, as he seized his moment to shine in the 81st minute and slotted home in front of the returning home fans to seal a 3-0 victory.
The road to redemption was very much taking shape.
Falcao powers a header during Vallecano's recent match against Cadiz in LaLiga
It's fair to say that with Falcao leading the line, unpolished and unproven Real Vallecano feel like they can take on anybody.
The Colombian's home debut was quickly followed by a tense 2-1 away victory over
