Falcao still dreams of making it to the World Cup
When all seemed lost for Colombias star striker Radamel Falcao his surgeon Jose Carlos Noronha shared his optimism about seen the Monaco player participating in…
When all seemed lost for Colombias star striker Radamel Falcao his surgeon Jose Carlos Noronha shared his optimism about seen the Monaco player participating in the World Cup with the Cafeteros.
Falcao tore his ACL during a Cup de France match in late January and the prognosis had him going under the knife and being off the pitch for at least 6 months. The entire country of Colombia felt a stab in their hearts as the striker has been the symbol of change in its soccer culture.
Since the magical generation of the mid 90s, with Tino Asprilla, Carlos Valderrama or Freddy Rincon, Colombia had not enjoyed as powerful group of players as they have today. But amongst all the talented footballers in Pekermans squad, Falcao is the differentiating factor.
SEE ALSO: The curious case of Radamel Falcao
The former Porto and Atletico Madrid forward had become one of the top goal scorers in the world, being able to compete with the best, and gathered offers from giants like Chelsea, Real Madrid or Manchester City when he decided to leave the Colchoneros last summer.
However, Radamel decided to join the growing project of Monaco, which headed by Rybolovlev promised to become part of the European soccer royalty in no time.
Then, catastrophe after catastrophe ensued, and Radamel Falcaos shining light started to dim until that fateful January night when his knee ligaments popped leaving him on the verge of missing his much sought World Cup participation.
First, it was the taxing laws passed in France, which pushed Monaco players to pay the same taxes as the rest of the leagues, making Rybolovlevs financial expansion for the team pretty much unviable.
Then, the resurgence of Paris Saint Germain, a team that had the clear intentions of not letting Monaco steal the spotlight after winning the Ligue 1 last year. Finally, his long-term injury became the cherry on top for an adventure that seemed doomed from day one for Falcao.
Pepe is a good example for Falcao
But in the midst of such gloominess, one of the worlds top sports surgeons came to the rescue. Jose Carlos Noronha is a renown physician who already worked a miracle with Portuguese defender Pepe.
In December 2012, Pepe tore his ACL and MCL, and at first sight it was said he would not make it to the World Cup with his national team.
Pepe was operated on by Noronha and after an arduous and intense rehab process he was back in action in early May, enough to pick up some game speed before Queiroz called him up to the South African bout.
SEE ALSO: Falcao sees Pepes case as a light at the end of the tunnel
Now, Noronha has publicly said he is convinced Falcao will make it to Brazil. Every case is different, he added, but Radamels surgery was a great success, and his recovery period is going just as expected.
If Noronhas calculations are right, the Colombian may even get some playing time before the end of the French season and be more than ready for the World Cup.
Falcao has one thing going for him: 47 million people will be praying and hoping for him to be at full speed come kick off time between Colombia and Greece on June 14th.