David Beckham to miss World Cup after tearing Achilles and might be end of his career
I feel bad for him, he was really looking forward to the World Cup but I think he's more worried about playing again because the injury looks career ending.
MILAN, Italy (AP)—David Beckham will miss the World Cup and most if not all the Los Angeles Galaxy season after tearing his left Achilles’ tendon Sunday while playing for AC Milan.
His international career for England is all but over. It remains to be seen how much he’ll have left for the Galaxy and Major League Soccer.
“He will miss the World Cup for sure,” a person familiar with the injury told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because an official announcement had not been made. The person said it was likely the 34-year-old midfielder will play again.
Beckham was injured without getting hit during AC Milan’s 1-0 Italian League win over visiting Chievo Verona.
With only a few minutes remaining and the score 0-0, Beckham was by himself with the ball at his feet, shifted his weight and reached a hand down to his left heel. Beckham then stood up and snapped his wrists like he was breaking a twig in half in a gesture to show the AC Milan bench he knew the tendon was broken.
Visibly in pain and in tears, Beckham went to the sideline for medical attention, leaving Milan a man short because all three substitutes had been used.
“He felt the muscle begin to come up, which is a typical symptom when you break an Achilles’ tendon,” Milan coach Leonardo told Sky. “This is a real blow.”
Sky reported that Beckham said, ‘It’s broken, it’s broken,” when he came off.
Club physician Jean Pierre Meersseman told Italy’s Sky TV that Beckham will fly to Finland, where he will be treated by specialist surgeon Dr. Sakari Orava.
“He’ll go to Finland tomorrow and will be operated on probably tomorrow afternoon or Tuesday morning,” Meersseman said.
While Beckham has not been a starter for England in recent matches, he was likely to make the World Cup roster as a reserve and looked forward to the high-profile June 12 matchup against the United States—and Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan. Although no longer a top player, Beckham was still useful for his free kicks and crosses, especially when England needed second-half goals.
And for many, he was the most-known soccer player in the world, a fashion icon with a celebrity wife, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham. A 2002 movie was even named after him, “Bend it Like Beckham.”
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was on his second loan stint to AC Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy as he looked to boost his chances of making England coach Fabio Capello’s 23-man World Cup roster. With no chance to play in the World Cup, his international career is likely over after 17 goals and 115 appearances, second in English history behind only goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s 125 matches from 1970-90.
Beckham was England’s captain from November 2000 through the 2006 World Cup. He was due back with the Galaxy after the World Cup.
“He’ll probably be out for five or six months,” AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani told Sky. “I saw him really suffering. In the changing room I hugged him and told him that if he wants he can join us next year, too.”
It was yet another blow for Major League Soccer, already facing the threat of a players’ strike ahead of the season opener on March 25. Beckham is the league’s highest-paid player with a $32.5 million, five-year contract and its biggest draw.
“We just received the information about David’s unfortunate injury,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said. “We wish him a speedy recovery.”
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said it was too early to tell exactly how long Beckham will be out. He didn’t want to discuss the impact the injury would have on Los Angeles’ season. He wouldn’t blame the injury on the loan.
“Players get hurt whether they’re on loan or not,” he said. “Injuries are unfortunately part of the game.”
Capello and his England assistant Franco Baldini spoke with Beckham on the telephone to offer best wishes, according to British news agency The Press Association.
In April 2002, Beckham broke a bone in his left foot during a European Champions League game against Spain’s Deportivo La Coruna. His injury and recovery were front-page news to fixated England fans.
England fell short in the 2002 World Cup and yet again in 2006, still hoping for its first title since 1966.
Beckham returned Sunday to AC Milan’s starting lineup after a reserve-appearance in Wednesday’s 4-0 Champions League loss at Manchester United, his first match at Old Trafford against his old club since he left after the 2002-03 season. Beckham was treated Sunday for a deep cut to his right cheek following a collision early in the first half.
With the game scoreless, Beckham nearly scored in the 84th, but Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino stopped his close-range effort.
“Beckham came here because he wanted to help Milan return to the top and he was looking to get a jersey for the national team and participate in the World Cup,” Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta said. “If other victories come, there will surely be a dedication for David Beckham.”
Sunday’s win moved Milan (17-4-7) within one point of Serie A leader Inter Milan (17-3-8) with 10 games remaining.
AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
The Situation
03-14-2010 10:26 PM
What a shame, I've always been a fan of Becks. Horrible way to end his great career. Oh well, at least he doesn't have to play for the LA Galaxy anymore.
SkinnyPupp
03-15-2010 03:02 AM
OP maybe you should change your name to Tony Parsons :lol
Anyway I didn't even know he was still playing soccer. I thought he moved to LA to become a movie star or something. I think he's transcended soccer as a star, and no longer needs to be an active player. Like Michael Jordan, etc
JSALES
03-15-2010 03:10 AM
wow, that sucks. i wonder how all the fans are reacting to this haha
The Situation
03-15-2010 06:04 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JSALES
(Post 6860460)
wow, that sucks. i wonder how all the fans are reacting to this haha
I guess the only round objects he'll bend now are his wifes....... I mean that's why there so big for right??
CorneringArtist
03-15-2010 06:49 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp
(Post 6860452)
OP maybe you should change your name to Tony Parsons :lol
Anyway I didn't even know he was still playing soccer. I thought he moved to LA to become a movie star or something. I think he's transcended soccer as a star, and no longer needs to be an active player. Like Michael Jordan, etc
He could easily follow in MJ's footsteps and go into coaching, either for the English national team or for one of the leagues.
Mugen EvOlutioN
03-15-2010 07:24 AM
shit thats really bad news for him
:(
Tim Budong
03-15-2010 08:37 AM
I was lookin forward to one last WorldCup with becks for the English All Star Team
I mean, the guy took so much criticism and the english program never did embrace the one gem they had. I believed that he would prove himself to be the David Beckham, and play in the worldcup to define himself again as one of the premier players in the world
sad day indeed:(
124Y
03-15-2010 08:41 AM
Damn... this really sucks. Hate to see his career end like this...
Dan_Guy
03-15-2010 09:00 AM
should've streched . . .
asahai69
03-15-2010 09:16 AM
marginal player with a good foot.
Greenstoner
03-15-2010 09:21 AM
career ending injury ?? hope he recovers it soon
Amuse
03-15-2010 09:32 AM
2 years ago Bieksa got his Achilles tendon partially sliced. So for Beckham, the tendon snapped? must be painful.
RacePace
03-15-2010 10:42 AM
Still a legend to Manchester United fans, always will be
sonick
03-15-2010 11:13 AM
Sounds sooo painful. I remember hearing that when it tears, you can actually SEE the calf muscle shrivelled/curled up at the top of the calf/below the back of the knee.
Cringe just thinking about it.
hotong
03-15-2010 11:13 AM
shitty deal
hal0g0dv2
03-15-2010 11:18 AM
that is so shitty
hope he gets better
Porschedog
03-15-2010 12:09 PM
NOOOOOOOO BECKS
josh t-1
03-15-2010 12:25 PM
that's too bad... but at least he didn't lay down on the pitch and scream and cry like most soccer players do whenever they even get so much as brushed, big ups for taking it like a man! my room mate tore his achilles last year and said that it was one of the most painful things he's ever gone through
tonyvu
03-15-2010 12:27 PM
i'm pretty sure he'll get other promotions if his soccer career is over. Someone like him just doesn't go MIA
BaoXu
03-15-2010 12:43 PM
Why is he going all the way to Finland to operate his heel?
Doesn't LA have the best damn doctors around?
RacePace
03-15-2010 01:08 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by BaoXu
(Post 6860835)
Why is he going all the way to Finland to operate his heel?
Doesn't LA have the best damn doctors around?
he snapped it in Italy...
The_AK
03-15-2010 02:01 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by BaoXu
(Post 6860835)
Why is he going all the way to Finland to operate his heel?
Doesn't LA have the best damn doctors around?
yes, when it comes to tits, ass, and face
bengy
03-15-2010 02:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by josh t-1
(Post 6860823)
that's too bad... but at least he didn't lay down on the pitch and scream and cry like most soccer players do whenever they even get so much as brushed, big ups for taking it like a man! my room mate tore his achilles last year and said that it was one of the most painful things he's ever gone through
he was alone with the ball...
Not really racist!
03-15-2010 03:48 PM
Damn, always liked Beckham, hopefully his recovery goes smoothly
