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Radamel Falcao's season of failed hopes and dreams continued yesterday with the announcement of the 40-man preliminary Colombia squad for the Copa America Centenario.
Falcao had recently spoken of his desire to be included, now that he's supposedly healthy once again, but, unsurprisingly, three-time South American Coach of the Year Jose Pekerman had different ideas. Falcao may remain one of the richest sportsmen on Earth, but his actual footballing abilities seem to have deserted him a long time ago.
Pekerman did include Chelsea loanee and Juventus transfer target Juan Cuadrado of course. Inter's Jeison Murillo, who has been tentatively linked with Chelsea recently, got the call as well.
Goalkeepers: Cristian Bonilla (Atletico Nacional), David Ospina (Arsenal), Camilo Vargas (Argentinos Juniors), Robinson Zapata (Santa Fe)
Defenders: Felipe Aguilar (Atletico Nacional), Eder Alvarez (River Plate), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Cristian Borja (Santa Fe), Farid Diaz (Atletico Nacional), Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors), Deiver Machado (Millonarios), Stefan Medina (Pachuca), Yerry Mina (Santa Fe), Jeison Murillo (Inter), Oscar Murillo (Pachuca), Helibelton Palacios (Deportivo Cali), William Telsillo (Santa Fe), Christian Zapata (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Wilmar Barrios (Deportes Tolima), Nicolas Benedetti (Deportivo Cali), Edwin Cardona (Monterrey), Guillermo Celis (Junior), Juan Cuadrado (Juventus), Gustavo Cuellar (Flamengo), Cristian Higuita (Orlando City), Vladimir Hernandez (Junior), Sebastian Perez (Atletico Nacional), Andres Felipe Roa (Deportivo Cali), James Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Carlos Sanchez (Aston Villa), Daniel Torres (Independiente Medellin)
Forwards: Carlos Bacca (AC Milan), Roger Martinez (Racing Club), Marlos Moreno (Atletico Nacional), Dayro Moreno (Club Tijuana), Luis Fernando Muriel (Sampdoria), Harold Preciado (Deportivo Cali), Luis Quinones (Pumas UNAM), Adrian Ramos (Borussia Dortmund)
Colombia will be playing the USMNT in the opening game of the Copa America Centenario on June 3rd. Others in the qualifying group include Costa Rica and Paraguay, so Colombia will no doubt be expected to advance to the knockout rounds.