Becks' World Cup dream in tatters
Source: Agencies |
March 16, 2010, Tuesday
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DAVID Beckham left Milan on a flight to Finland yesterday for surgery on his torn left Achilles' tendon, an injury likely to keep him out of the World Cup.
The 34-year-old former England captain was injured in the closing minutes of AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo Verona on Sunday.
With his hopes of becoming the first English player to appear in four World Cups shattered and his future in international football in doubt, Beckham was scheduled to be operated on either late yesterday or today by specialist surgeon Dr Sakari Orava.
Before the flight, Beckham left a Milan hotel on crutches.
"We have to wait for the results of the scan, but it looks like he is out of the World Cup," England coach Fabio Capello said yesterday. "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."
Orava told Finnish broadcaster YLE that, although it's not realistic to expect Beckham to be fit for the World Cup just three months after surgery, there remains "a glimmer of hope" that he could be back for the June 11-July tournament in South Africa.
"David is on way to Finland to see a specialist," Beckham spokesman Simon Oliveira said. "He is understandably upset but wants to thank everyone who has sent him messages of support. He hopes to make a swift and full recovery."
Beckham's international career for England appears all but over and it remains to be seen how much he'll have left for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Major League Soccer.
Capello and his England assistant, Franco Baldini, spoke with Beckham on the telephone to offer best wishes.
With only a few minutes remaining in the Chievo game and the score 0-0, Beckham was by himself in the center circle when he took a pass with his left foot, stepped back awkwardly, then stepped forward and started hopping on his right foot with an expression of pain on his face. He reached down to his left heel, then stood up and gestured as if he was breaking a twig in half to show the AC Milan bench he knew the tendon was broken.
Visibly in pain and in tears, Beckham went to the touchline for medical attention.
Italy's SKY TV reported that Beckham said, "It's broken, it's broken," when he came off.
"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."
Milan organizing director Umberto Gandini said Beckham's career is not at risk.
"I'm not a physician but it's certainly not the first time a footballer has injured his Achilles' tendon, and players have come back and played after those injuries," Gandini said.
The 34-year-old former England captain was injured in the closing minutes of AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo Verona on Sunday.
With his hopes of becoming the first English player to appear in four World Cups shattered and his future in international football in doubt, Beckham was scheduled to be operated on either late yesterday or today by specialist surgeon Dr Sakari Orava.
Before the flight, Beckham left a Milan hotel on crutches.
"We have to wait for the results of the scan, but it looks like he is out of the World Cup," England coach Fabio Capello said yesterday. "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."
Orava told Finnish broadcaster YLE that, although it's not realistic to expect Beckham to be fit for the World Cup just three months after surgery, there remains "a glimmer of hope" that he could be back for the June 11-July tournament in South Africa.
"David is on way to Finland to see a specialist," Beckham spokesman Simon Oliveira said. "He is understandably upset but wants to thank everyone who has sent him messages of support. He hopes to make a swift and full recovery."
Beckham's international career for England appears all but over and it remains to be seen how much he'll have left for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Major League Soccer.
Capello and his England assistant, Franco Baldini, spoke with Beckham on the telephone to offer best wishes.
With only a few minutes remaining in the Chievo game and the score 0-0, Beckham was by himself in the center circle when he took a pass with his left foot, stepped back awkwardly, then stepped forward and started hopping on his right foot with an expression of pain on his face. He reached down to his left heel, then stood up and gestured as if he was breaking a twig in half to show the AC Milan bench he knew the tendon was broken.
Visibly in pain and in tears, Beckham went to the touchline for medical attention.
Italy's SKY TV reported that Beckham said, "It's broken, it's broken," when he came off.
"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."
Milan organizing director Umberto Gandini said Beckham's career is not at risk.
"I'm not a physician but it's certainly not the first time a footballer has injured his Achilles' tendon, and players have come back and played after those injuries," Gandini said.
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