The quick, pained motion, like snapping a twig in your hands, was all the training staff of AC Milan needed to see to know David Beckham was in trouble. The 34-year-old, who has played on three English World Cup teams, may have ended his career yesterday when he ruptured his left Achilles tendon in a 1-0 victory over Chievo Verona.
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After a 2009 season that brought them to the MLS Cup match here in Seattle, L.A. Galaxy fans have watched their team with high expectations for 2010. News of Beckham’s injury is a huge disappointment, and is the second of two blows to L.A. after Landon Donovan asked for an extension on his loan to Everton.
Beckham is now expected to miss this years' World Cup in South Africa. He would have likely made the team as a reserver player.
It would have set a new record for World Cup appearances for an Englishman at four. After this accident, however, many would be surprised if he came back to the pitch at all.
The injury occurred innocently enough; Beckham had just received the ball and was unguarded near midfield. As the ball settled, it looked like he was preparing one of his patented crosses, but quickly aborted the kick. When he tried to dribble forward, that too seemed to cause him discomfort and he began limping, eventually calling for the training staff to assist him off the field.
We will keep you updated on this story as details become available.
Reach Galen Helmgren at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
