Colombian striker Radamel Falcao is a major World Cup doubt after Monaco confirmed he will require surgery on a cruciate ligament injury.
The 27-year-old record signing (£50m) from Atletico Madrid was stretchered off during Wednesday’s 3-0 French Cup win at Chasselay Monts d’or Azergues, following a tackle by defender Soner Ertek.
The player is therefore not expected to recover in time for next summer’s world football showpiece in Brazil, where the Los Cafeloteros (the Coffee Growers) are due to play Greece, Ivory Coast and japan in Group C.
Recovery time for a serious ACL injury is usually between six and nine months.
Falcao has scored nine goals in 17 appearances this season for Claudio Ranieri’s men. He netted nine goals for his South American nation during the 2014 World Cup qualifying series.
