Beckham likely to miss World Cup over suspected Achilles rupture

By Alberto Cagliano Mar 15, 2010, 11:48 GMT

Rome - England's David Beckham is likely to miss the summer's football World Cup after likely rupturing his Achilles tendon on Sunday night.

The 34-year-old, who was hoping to play in his fourth World Cup, was injured while playing for AC Milan against Chievo due to go to Finland on Monday for a final diagnosis and surgery.

'A rupture of the Achilles tendon is suspected,' AC Milan said in a statement after David Beckham left the pitch grimacing in pain over the injury in his left leg.

The Corriere dello Sport paper spoke of 'a drama' on Monday and La Gazzetta dello Sport even said: 'Becks' career in danger. David in tears. The season is over.'

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said the former England captain will be out for 'probably five or six months,' but also offered him hope for the future.

'I saw him and he was suffering,' Galliani said. 'In the dressing room, I took him in my arms and told him that if he wanted, he will be with us next year.'

Milan coach Leonardo said: 'Beckham's injury makes us feel terrible. He understood immediately that he had torn his Achilles tendon. He is an extraordinary guy and today's game proves it yet again. I cannot enjoy this evening considering this serious injury.'

Ignazio Abate, his Milan teammate, said Beckham was struggling to cope with the news.

'He's not doing well,' Abate said. 'He was in tears in the dressing room, he wasn't saying a lot. This has affected us all.'

Orthopaedist Sakari Orava, who is to conduct the operation in a clinic of Turku, Finland, left no hopes for recovery by season's end.

'To start kicking and playing it will take about three months,' the specialist told Italian media on Monday.

'For maximum performance in kicking and jumping, probably a further month: three or four months before he can play a (training) match.'

The forecast by the specialist, whom Milan vice president Adriano Galliani described as 'an authority in his field,' leaves virtually no room for recovery by June 11, when the World Cup is set to begin.

That is bad news for England manager Fabio Capello.

'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 (assistant) Franco Baldini,' said Capello.

The tie with Chievo will remain one of Beckham's worst, as he had already suffered a bad blow in the face in the first half and kept playing with a bloody mark on his right cheekbone.

Milan, who last week suffered a bitter elimination from the Champions League, losing 4-0 at Becks's former side Manchester United, will miss the classy veteran as they gear up for a final rush in the Serie A season in which they trail leaders Inter by just one point.