Intro:

Colombia striker Radamel Falcao is in a race against time to get fit for the World Cup in June after undergoing knee surgery on Saturday, with his doctor giving him a better than 50-50 chance of making it.

Falcao, known as El Tigre, is Colombia's star player, and the hopes the country places on him merited a bedside visit from Colombia's president after Falcao awoke following the operation.

Juan Manuel Santos's presidential plane made a detour on his way home from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to check on Falcao at Trindade hospital in Porto in northern Portugal.

Dr Jose Carlos Noronha said a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which Falcao contracted in his left knee, can often take more than six months to heal.

However, he wouldn't rule out the possibility of the player recovering in time for Colombia's World Cup opener against Greece on June 14.

The 27-year-old Falcao injured his knee playing for Monaco in the French Cup on Wednesday.

Falcao is set to be released from the hospital on Monday and Noronha said he expected Falcao to continue his recovery in Monaco.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)

"I'm grateful for all the 47 million Colombians that have been wishing me well for my recovery. For me it has been a really massive lift to my spirits that he (President Santos), one of the most important people in the world comes and visits me while I am in such a difficult moment."

SUPER CAPTION: Colombia and Monaco striker Radamel Falcao

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)

"He is in good spirits and optimistic. The operation went well. It was a success. I was told in detail what was done. Falcao has much faith, which is very important. He is already thinking about the World Cup, which is also very important. He thinks he will be able to play. Everything depends on the how his recovery progresses."

SUPER CAPTION: Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos