David Beckham World Cup heartache after Achilles injury
David Beckham World Cup heartache after Achilles injury
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Monday, 15, Mar 2010 04:56
By Richard James.
David Beckham's chances of playing in this year's World Cup appear to be over after it was confirmed the 34-year-old tore his left Achilles tendon in AC Milan's victory over Chievo on Sunday.
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 claiming: "It's broken, it's broken."
Speaking afterwards, AC Milan coach 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.
The England coach released a statement after reportedly speaking to Beckham on Sunday night though stating: "We have to wait for the results of the scan, but it looks like he is out of the World Cup.
"I spoke with him after the game on Sunday night to offer my support, as did Franco Baldini [Capello's assistant].
"David is a great professional and has worked very hard to be ready for the World Cup, so missing it will be a big blow."
Beckham is expected to arrive in Finland later today for emergency surgery but experts claim the 34-year-old will now be out of action for between three to four months.
Leonardo claimed the England player knew immediately after the injury how bad it was and its potential repercussions.
"The injury makes us feel terrible. He [Beckham] is an extraordinary guy and his performance in this game proved that yet again," the AC Milan coach said.
"I cannot enjoy this evening considering what has happened to David. But when the tendon goes you feel it straight away and he understood immediately that he had torn it and what that meant."
There is a high chance Beckham, the only English player to score in three World Cups, may now have played his last game for his country and could face an uphill battle to continue his club career.
Beckham is currently in his second loan stint at Milan after moving to Italy from LA Galaxy ironically to improve his fitness and play himself into Capello's national squad.