Falcao finally ruled out of Colombia squad

Injured striker’s absence from World Cup a big blow to Pekerman’s side.

CAMPANA: Colombia’s talismanic striker Radamel Falcao will miss the World Cup after losing his battle to recover from the crushing knee injury he sustained playing for his club Monaco in January.

The 28-year-old’s absence from Brazil was confirmed on Tuesday by Colombia coach Jose Pekerman. “It’s a sad night,” the Argentine told a press conference at his squad’s training camp in Campana.

“With a great deal of sadness, I must inform you that Falcao and Luis Perea will not be taking part in the World Cup because they have not recovered from their injuries.”



Falcao, who has scored 20 goals in 51 international appearances, suffered serious knee ligament damage in a French Cup tie on January 22 and has not played since.

He has been training with the Colombia squad since the end of last month but his fitness level has failed to satisfy the Colombian team’s medical experts.

“It’s a difficult time. I’ll be supporting the team with all my force.

“The forwards picked for the World Cup are great players who have the backing of the entire team and the coaches.”

Colombia’s hopes of making it into the second round will in part rest now on the shoulders of Falcao’s Monaco teammate, midfielder James Rodriguez.

Ribery in as France squad unveiled

Franck Ribery, fighting to shrug off a back injury figured in coach Didier Deschamps’ 23-player World Cup squad late Monday.

Also included in the final Brazil-bound list submitted to Fifa was Stephane Ruffier, who stepped in last month for injured goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

Deschamps is hoping to have Bayern Munich winger Ribery back in business in time for Sunday’s warm-up against Jamaica. The France forward has missed preps against Norway and Paraguay in the past week.

Meanwhile, Argentina’s 23-player World Cup squad announced by coach Alejandro Sabella with the list headed by Barcelona’s Lionel Messi but missing midfielder Ever Banega, Nicolás Otamendi and Jose Sosa. Banega was left out after Sabella elected to side with Celta Vigo’s Augusto Fernandez, who has recovered from injury.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2014.

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