Radamel Falcao left out of Colombia's 23-man final World Cup squad

Falcao left out of the final squad of Colombia

Colombia’s World Cup hopes have been dealt a huge blow as star striker Radamel Falcao has been left out of their final 23-man squad due to injury.

The Monaco forward suffered a serious knee injury in January, with the early diagnosis suggesting that he had little chance of returning to fitness in time to take his place in the team at the tournament in Brazil.

However, he has progressed quickly and gave his nation significant hope that he would be ready ahead of schedule, only for coach Jose Pekerman to opt against his inclusion.

The 28-year-old former Atletico Madrid front man is Los Cafeteros’ talisman and his presence will be sorely missed. Falcao has revealed his disappointment at the decision but appears to have accepted that it the right one for all parties involved.

“I had lots of hopes but, well, we’ve got to press on and support the team from the outside and wish all my team mates the best for a good World Cup.

“Today, I’m in very good shape but conscious that I still need a bit (more time) to play again and I didn’t want to deny a place to a team mate who was 100 per cent fit, nor do something imprudent to damage my health,” he told reporters.

Porto’s Jackson Martinez will now be the man to carry the goal scoring burden as the team plot a route through a tricky group. Colombia’s World Cup campaign begins in Group C as they face Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan.