Little by little Colombia’s soccer players selected for the 30 man world cup squad to Brazil are returning to Colombia, having completed their club duties, reported Colombia’s national media.
As the squad assembles in Colombia, the main concern remains surrounding star striker Radamel Falcao and whether he will be fit enough to fly to Brazil.
The most recent members to arrive back in Colombia were Teofilo Gutierrez, James Rodriguez and Eder Alvarez Balanta, reported Colombian daily El Espectador.
De nuevo en la selección. pic.twitter.com/UoBGtcVIkG
— James Rodríguez (@jamesdrodriguez) May 19, 2014
They will undergo medical examinations and physical tests as well as practice in the sports headquarters of the Colombian Football Federation in Bogota.
On Friday the final 23 man squad selection will be made, before which date the squad will have their final media session in Bogota before flying off to Argentina where they will play in several warm-up friendlies before the World Cup finals in Brazil starting on June 14.
Their first World Cup matches of the competition’s group stages will be played against Greece on June 14, Ivory Coast on June 19, and Japan on June 24.
Radamel Falcao will arrive either on Tuesday or Wednesday at the sports complex in Bogota, at which time his fitness levels will be assessed and it will be decided whether it is possible for him to fly to Brazil.
The star striker underwent surgery in January on his left knee after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a French league game.
Falcao previously acknowledged that he will likely not be 100% for the World Cup, and hinted that not playing at all is very possible.
“To get to 100% soccer-wise will be impossible, because I lack hours of competitive soccer. In order to resume, if I am feeling good, I will go. If I see that I am not sure, and I’m not going to contribute anything, I will be sensible and I will not go,” he said.
MORE: ‘Impossible’ to return to 100% in time for World Cup: Falcao
Colombia’s initial 30 man squad was announced on Tuesday 13 May. In the following days coach Jose Nestor Pekerman will have to decide which 7 players to drop in order to finalize the 23 man squad, and one of those players dropped could well be Falcao.
MORE: Colombia announces lineup for 2014 World Cup
Sources
- Ahora sí comenzó el Mundial para Colombia (El Espectador)