Colombia bids farewell to the public before heading to the World Cup

With a celebration that included fireworks, a performance by singer Maluma, the appearance of an Olympic champion, and a match where the result was the least important thing, the Colombian national team bid farewell to the public in Bogotá on Friday, before embarking on the journey that will culminate with their participation in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

"We carry the heart of 50 million Colombians and we will defend this flag," said Radamel Falcao, star of the national team, who received the national flag from Olympic and World Triple Jump champion Caterine Ibargüen.

The athletics star and the members of the team that will participate in the World Cup were acclaimed by more than 30,000 fans, who attended the local El Campín stadium.

"I give you the heart of the Colombian people, we believe in you... God bless you, my team," expressed Ibargüen before handing over the flag.

During the evening, an exhibition match was played between the members of the national team. Strikers Luis Fernando Muriel, from the yellow team, and Miguel Ángel Borja, from the blue team, scored the goals in the 1-1 draw of the half-hour match, divided into two periods of 15 minutes.