Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao has stressed the importance of this summer's Copa America for Colombia along with their preparations for the next World Cup.
Falcao’s cruciate ligament injury kept him out of Colombia’s World Cup campaign last summer and though he has scored just four times for Manchester United this season he is back in Jose Pekerman's squad.
The striker is keen to make his mark for the national team after failing to justify his top billing at Manchester United this season and the Colombian superstar revealed that they are already planning for the next World Cup in 2018 in Russia.
Falcao believes this year’s Copa America in Chile will be an important tournament for Colombia to gauge their team’s preparation for the World Cup three summers later.
"The national squad has brought together a team of young players who all come from the same background", Falcao told Manchester United’s official website.
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"We’re all young and our main objective is to strengthen ourselves, ready for the World Cup in Russia.
"The Copa America will help us with that objective. We really want to do our best in order to be among the elite."
Falcao is expected to lead the line in Colombia’s international friendly against Bahrain on Friday, while they also play Kuwait over the international break.
The Colombian will hope to get amongst the goals over both matches, after misfiring at Old Trafford.
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