Torn Achilles' Tendon Will Keep David Beckham Out of World Cup

David Beckham will miss not only most if not all of the Los Angeles Galaxy season, but also the World Cup after tearning his left Achilles' tendon on Sunday while playing for AC Milan. His international career for England is over, and whether or not he'll have a career again with the Galaxy and Major League Soccer is also up in the air.

Although an official announcement has not been made, a person familiar with the injury revealed:

"He will miss the World Cup for sure."

The person added, however, that it was likely the 34-year-old midfielder will play again.

With just a few minutes left in the game and the score at 0-0, Beckham was alone with the ball, he shifted his weight and reached a hand down to his left heel. He then stood up and snapped his wrists like he was breaking a twig in a half, a gesture to his AC Milan teammates that he knew he had torn his tendon. He had been injured without even getting hit.

Visibly in pain, with tears streaming down his face, Beckham headed to the sideline for medical care. This left his team one man short as all three substitutes had already been used.

AC Milan coach Leonardo said:

"He felt the muscle begin to come up, which is a typical symptom when you break an Achilles' tendon. This is a real blow."

According to the team's physician, Jean Pierre Meerssemen, Beckham will be flown to Finland for surgery:

"He'll go to Finland tomorrow and will be operated on probably tomorrow afternoon or Tuesday morning."

Beckham will also miss out on the World Cup. While he hasn't been a starter for England in recent games, he was likely to make their World Cup roster as a reserve. He had been on loan to Milian hoping to boost his chance of making England's 23-man World Cup roster. After 17 goals and 115 appearances in the World Cup, Beckham is second in English history, behind goalkeeper Peter Shilton (125 matches from 1970-1990). It looks as though his international career is now over.