Radamel Falcao insists that he knew he would not be staying at Atletico Madrid long "due to economic problems the club was experiencing."
Falcao, currently on loan at Manchester United from AS Monaco, scored 70 goals during his time in Spain before leaving Madrid for Monaco in the summer of 2013.
Having moved from River Plate to Porto for just four million euros in 2009, Falcao was sold for 40 million euros to Atletico in 2011 before being sold on again two years later for 60 million euros to the lucrative French club.
The Colombian striker enjoyed his time in Spain, but admits he knew he wouldn't be there for a long spell.
"I knew it would be difficult to remain at the club, principally due to the difficult financial situation that the club was experiencing at the time," he told Spanish football magazine, Libero. "There was constant talk of the need to sell me at the end of the season so I was well aware of the situation. After just four months I knew my time at Atleti was to be brief...
"I've enjoyed playing everywhere. I've been happy everywhere in my life. Maybe the happiest times where shortly after arriving in Europe, at my time in both FC Porto and at Atlético Madrid. I'm very proud of everything I've achieved at every club that I've been fortunate to play for."
Asked if a football player in charge of his own destiny, Falcao replied: "No, I'd say not. It makes me laugh at times when I get asked why I didn't stay at a particular club or why I haven't moved to another side, as if they player has a choice in the matter.
"I'd say back to journalists, why don't you work at CNN or ESPN? It's the same in football. On very few occasions can the player make the decision to move from one club or to another. There have been occasions when I've not been able to live in the way I want, many times. I want to go to a particular club and in finally I end up at another."