MILAN, Italy — 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.
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TURKU, Finland — David Beckham's left Achilles' tendon was totally torn, and the doctor who performed the surgery said the England midfielder is expected to be out of action for about six months.
"He is doing well and the operation lasted just under an hour. It went very well," Dr. Sakari Orava told The Associated Press after the operation at the Mehilainen clinic in Turku, southwestern Finland. "He will have to take it very easy during the next two to three weeks or a month, and then he will continue with a recuperation program slowly. The foot won't take much strain for two to three months."
Orava also said it would be "four months to running" and another two months before playing.
Beckham's spokesman, Simon Oliveira, said the tendon was completely repaired, and he expected the 34-year-old midfielder to play again.
"David is expected to make a full recovery," Oliveira said.
The former England captain was injured in the closing minutes of AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo Verona on Sunday. He was on his second loan to the Italian club from Major League Soccer's Lox Angeles Galaxy.
Orava said Beckham planned to spend the night at the clinic and likely will leave Finland on Tuesday. A statement from AC Milan said Beckham will remain under observation for a few days.
"Tomorrow, Professor Orava will give his prognosis, and a precise rehabilitation plan will follow," Milan said.
Using crutches, Beckham hobbled out of a private jet at Turku airport in southwestern Finland and left in a Mercedes. Just minutes later, he arrived at the clinic surrounded by security guards amid cheers from hundreds of fans who had gathered outside the entrance.
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