World Cup 2014 News: Radamel Falcao, Colombian Striker, Hopes To Recover From Leg Injury In Time For Brazil Tournament

Despite suffering a devastating injury to his cruciate ligament last month, 28-year-old Colombian international and AS Monaco star Radamel Falcao hopes to recover in time for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. Initially given a recovery time of 6 months after suffering the blow to his left knee, Falcao is looking to shorten his recoup time in order to help the Colombian National team make a strong push at the Brazil games, which open on June 12. “I spoke to Falcao yesterday on the phone,” Monaco teammate James Rodriguez told reporters Thursday. “He's working hard, he's very determined and confident that he will make it to the World Cup.”

Falcao endured the blow in Monaco’s 3-0 Coupe de France victory over Monts d’Or Azergues on Jan. 22 while drawing heavy coverage from defender Soner Ertek. Due to the severity of the injury, the star scorer needed to be removed from the playing field via stretcher and was immediately placed under the care of doctors, who didn’t take long to assess the damage. Emotionally drained from the experience, Falcao took to Twitter the next day to thank his fans for their support while also noting his plans to be back in time for the start of the World Cup.

“I want to thank all of you for so many messages of support in the last few hours, I'm really touched by the warmth that's been shown to me from all over the world,” he wrote from his hospital bed. “I'm not going to deny that my sadness is huge, my heart is broken, but I'm clinging to the smallest hope, and that's enough to think that my World Cup dream is still alive. God makes possible the improbable, I believe in Him!!!”

Colombia will open its respective World Cup slate with a showdown against Group C member Greece on June 14.