Colombia’s Radamel Falcao is expected to play next weekend in the annual preseason Emirates Cup, hosted by English soccer giants Arsenal, according to international media.
Monaco coach, Leonardo Jardim, expects the Colombian star striker to return to the pitch to play against Valencia in Monaco’s first match of the Emirates Cup tournament, which takes place during the weekend of August 2-3, according to the UK’s the Guardian newspaper.
“I think he will be able to start playing again at the Emirates Cup. He is now in the final phase of his recuperation,” said Monaco coach Jardim.
Falcao has been benched since suffering an extensive knee injury in January during a French Cup match against Monts d’Or Azergues while playing for France’s Monaco.
MORE: ACL tear confirmed, Falcao likely sidelined for World Cup
The Colombian striker missed out on the World Cup in Brazil, where Colombia’s national team made it to the quarterfinals. Instead he has spent the summer stepping up his recovery and now looks ready again to compete after a six-month absence from the field.
Colombia’s El Espectador newspaper reported that Falcao was looking forward to being on the field again, but he also noted that his health was most important.
“What is most important is that I can be well enough to return to the Colombian national team and with my club, so that when I return to the field of play, I’m fully recovered and ready to play,” said Falcao.
Recently, Falcao has been considered in a transfer to Real Madrid, who have just signed his Colombian teammate James Rodriguez. However, Monaco coach Jardim is counting on Falcao to be available for the French side on August 10 when the French league kicks off.
More: Falcao could join James Rodriguez at Real Madrid: Spanish press
“For now, he is a Monaco player, and I am counting on him,” Jardim stated, according to the Guardian.
Falcao was transferred to Monaco from Atletico Madrid for an estimated $80.6 million in the summer of 2013 and netted nine league goals before suffering the injury.
Sources
- Monaco’s Radamel Falcao close to comeback at Arsenal after knee injury (Guardian)
- “Falcao podrá empezar a jugar el próximo fin de semana”: técnico del Mónaco (El Espectador)