David Beckham faces World Cup heartache after Achilles injury
David Beckham's World Cup dream in doubt after Achilles injury
Sunday, 14, Mar 2010 11:00
By Richard James.
David Beckham's chances of playing in this year's World Cup appear to be in serious doubt after it was confirmed the 34-year-old tore his left Achilles tendon in AC Milan's victory over Chievo on Sunday.
The Italian club's coach Leonardo confirmed the news following the 1-0 win.
Beckham was stretchered off the pitch in the closing minutes of the game after seemingly injuring himself with no other players around him.
Television replays show the former England captain shifting his weight while getting ready to strike the ball at his feet before immediately grabbing his left ankle in pain and heading to the touchline for medial assistance.
Speaking afterwards, Leonardo said: "He felt the muscle begin to come up, which is a typical symptom when you break an Achilles tendon. This is a real blow."
Beckham had been hoping to be named in Fabio Capello's final squad for South Africa this summer and in doing so become the first England player to feature in four successive World Cup finals.