Colombia’s prized soccer star, Radamel Falcao, will not be going to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, coach Jose Pekerman confirmed at a press conference on Monday.
A knee injury sustained last January has prevented Falcao from participating in this year’s World Cup, Colombian news station W Radio reported on Monday.
“Today I am in good physical condition, but I would not want to take away a teammate’s chance to play, nor do anything against my health. I believe that this is the most sensible thing I can do,” said Falcao.
MORE: ACL tear confirmed, Falcao likely sidelined for World Cup
Praising the recovery efforts of Falcao, coach Pekerman said, “What we can tell Colombians is that ‘El Tigre’ did more than what a human being can do to be in Brazil, but did not reach it.”
Along with Falcao, coach Pekerman also announced that two other World Cup hopefuls would not be joining the Colombian team.
Forward Luis Fernando Muriel is out of the line-up on a technicality while defender Amaranto Perea is still recovering from an injury suffered on May 10.
Commenting on training with the Colombian team in Argentina, Perea said, “Being in Argentina, one felt the illusion of being in the World Cup in Brazil, but I have some ways to go ahead, and I believe I’ll be able to fulfill this dream.”
The Colombian team will play a friendly exhibition game on Friday against Jordan before travelling to Sao Paolo, Brazil for the World Cup.
The team first squares-off against Greece on June 14, followed by Cote d’Ivoire on June 19, and Japan on June 24.
