England manager Fabio Capello confirmed yesterday that David Beckham is expected to miss the World Cup after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The 34-year-old former England captain was hurt in AC Milan’s 1-0 Serie A win over Chievo at the San Siro on Sunday night.
Capello said he had spoken to the midfielder and it was now likely he would miss the showpiece event in South Africa this summer.
“We have to wait for the results of the scan, but it looks like he is out of the World Cup,” Capello said.
“I spoke with him after the game on Sunday night to offer my support,” he said. “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.”
But Beckham, who was set to fly to Finland for treatment by a specialist yesterday, said he hoped to make a “swift and full recovery.”
He explained: “I am on my way to Finland to see a specialist and have a scan on the injury. I am upset but want to thank everyone for their messages of support. I hope to make a swift and full recovery.”
Beckham pulled up in pain during Milan’s game without coming into contact with anyone else and limped distraught to the sidelines for treatment.
He was due to be operated on at the sports injury clinic of Mehilaeinen hospital in Turku, Finland yesterday afternoon, orthopedic surgeon Sakari Orava said.
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said that the player will be out for “probably five or six months,” which would rule Beckham out of a World Cup that gets underway in South Africa on June 11.
Beckham, desperate to play in a fourth World Cup finals, twisted his left ankle during the final minutes of Sunday’s match.
“This injury has been a heavy blow for him and for us. Unfortunately the party is ruined,” Milan coach Leonardo said.
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