MONACO (AP) — Monaco says star forward Radamel Falcao will have surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury that could cause the Colombian to miss this year’s World Cup.

A 27-year-old who finished 11th in FIFA Player of the Year voting this month, Falcao left the field on a stretcher Wednesday night after getting hurt when tackled by defender Soner Ertek during a French Cup match against the amateur club Chasselay.

Monaco says in a statement Thursday that “the player will have surgery in next few days. Doctors will do everything possible to speed up recovery.”

ACL surgery usually requires a recovery time of about six months, and Colombia plays its World Cup opener against Greece on June 14. Japan and Ivory Coast also are in Group C.

Manchester United
waiting on rival’s decision

LONDON (AP) — Manchester United has bid 37 million pounds ($61 million) for Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata, the team’s first move in the January transfer window.

World Cup song will
feature J-Lo, Pitbull

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — FIFA says Jennifer Lopez will team up with rapper Pitbull and popular Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte to perform the official song of the World Cup.

Football’s governing body didn’t elaborate on Thursday when “We Are One (Ole Ola)” will be released.

Written and co-produced by Pitbull, the song “is set to bring the passion of Brazil to the world” and “ignite the excitement felt by football fans” for the tournament kicking off in June.