#WorldCupRank: No. 19 Radamel Falcao
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No. 19 Radamel Falcao, AS Monaco/Colombia
Why he's ranked: The Colombian nation held its collective breath as news of Falcao's cruciate knee ligament injury emerged in late January. A comeback won't happen. His injured knee will keep him out of the World Cup. Despite a furious attempt to return in time for the tournament, he wasn't fit enough to play and was excluded from his country's final roster. When healthy with River Plate, Porto, Atletico Madrid and now Monaco, Falcao has offered what has been required of him: goals, goals and more goals.
Key stat: Set a record for most goals scored in a single European tournament. 17 goals in the 2010/11 Europa League for FC Porto.
What the experts say: "His fitness is a big question mark. But in good condition, he is perhaps the most complete striker in the world: great with the ball in the field, great with the ball in the air." - Paulo Cobos, ESPN Brasil
What You Think:
Radamel Falcao unfortunately is out of WC with an injury but he is still deserving to be in the #WorldCupRank on ESPN. Pure respect.
— Zach Olmsted (@zach_olmsted) June 4, 2014Other articles:
- The countdown: Our Top 50 players of the World Cup
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