Red-hot Falcao eyeing Russia

– Colombian striker Radamel Falcao (above) is aiming to realise his dream of playing in a World Cup next year, after continuing his red-hot start to the Ligue 1 season for Monaco on Saturday.

The 31-year-old scored twice in the French champions’ 3-0 win over Strasbourg to make it nine goals in just six league games so far this term.

Falcao rediscovered his best form after returning to the Stade Louis II last season, scoring 30 goals as Monaco won the Ligue 1 title and reached the Champions League semifinals.

That followed a bitterly disappointing two years on loan in England, where he was derided as a flop and scored just five times in 36 Premier League games for Manchester United and Chelsea.

But that bad spell came as he struggled to return to full fitness after missing out on the 2014 World Cup with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Amazingly, Colombia’s record goalscorer has yet to feature at a World Cup finals at all, after they missed out on the 2010 play-off by one point.

“(The World Cup) is a dream for me,” said Falcao.

“I am very motivated to help Colombia qualify for the World Cup. I’m getting ready for that.

“I feel better, I feel better than last year. It’s important to me, and the more months that go by, the better I’ll feel.

“Yes of course I thought I would come back (from the injury). I am always positive, with a good mentality to work a lot.”

Jose Pekerman’s side are looking good to reach the finals in Russia as they sit third in South American qualifying, and if Falcao can keep up his recent form, they could even better their run to the 2014 quarterfinals. – AFP