Radamel Falcao left out of Colombia World Cup squad after losing in race to be fit
- Striker says he lacks match fitness after return from injury
- Falcao suffered a serious knee injury in January and hasn't fully recovered
- Luis Perea and Luis Muriel also left out of Colombia's 23-man squad
- West Ham loanee Pablo Armero included in Colombian set-up for Brazil
COLOMBIA 23-MAN SQUAD
David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Santa Fe)
Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Pablo Armero (Napoli), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Mario Yepes (Atalanta), Carlos Valdes (Philadelphia Union - on loan to San Lorenzo), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Eder Alvarez-Balanta (River Plate)
James Rodriguez (Monaco), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Aldo Ramirez (Morelia), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Fiorentina)
Jackson Martinez (Porto), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Adrian Ramos (Borussia Dortmund).
Colombian football fans were rocked by the news that star striker Radamel Falcao will miss the forthcoming World Cup in Brazil.
National coach Jose Pekerman named his tournament squad on Monday evening during a press conference held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Falcao, who suffered a serious knee injury when on duty for his club side Monaco in January, was left off the 23-man list, with Pekerman deciding he would not be ready.
The former Atletico Madrid frontman, who was a big-money signing by Monaco last summer, looked to have no hope of making his country's squad for the tournament in Brazil when he sustained the injury, however his recovery then progressed swiftly.
Pekerman said last week he would 'wait for Falcao until the last day, the last minute' before deciding on his fitness, after consulting with medical experts, and the final decision went against the 28-year-old.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch Falcao training with 30-man Colombia squad in Buenos Aires
Heartbreak: Colombian striker Radamel Falcao will miss the World Cup in Brazil
Breaking the news: Falcao with manager Jose Pekerman at a press conference
Staying behind: Amaranto Perea (left), Luis Muriel (second left) and Falcao (right) were all left out
In the spotlight: Colombia coach Pekerman explains his squad selection at a press conference in Buenos Aires
'Muriel, Perea and Falcao are not going to be at the World Cup, Jose Pekerman has announced,' said a message on the national team's official Twitter account.
Colombia face Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan at Brazil 2014.
At a press conference in Buenos Aires, Falcao said: '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.'
Last ditch: Falcao trained with the Colombia squad this week, but it became clear he wasn't ready
Draw: 'El Tigre' is Colombia's superstar and their team will miss his presence in Brazil
Brazil bound: Pablo Armero, who was on loan at West Ham, has been included in the Colombia squad
Graphic: Colombia's final 23-man squad for Brazil. This image was posted by Seleccion Colombia on Twitter
After taking the tough decision, Pekerman called it 'the saddest day I've had since becoming Colombia coach'.
Pekerman added: 'We can say to all of Colombia that he did more than was within his power to play. He deserved the right for us to wait and keep the hope alive.'
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone tweeted: 'Most importantly your recovery as a professional. Football needs your talent and your passion. Embrace.'
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