Sir Bobby Charlton is crossing his fingers David Beckham will make it back into an England shirt again.
Beckham’s chances of appearing in a record fourth World Cup were shattered on Sunday night when he ruptured his Achilles tendon on AC Milan duty against Chievo.
The 34-year-old has already flown to Finland for an operation he hopes will salvage his career.
Beckham hopes to made a “swift and full recovery” his spokesman said on Monday.
“David is on his way to Finland to see a specialist and have a scan on the injury,” a statement on his website,
www.davidbeckham.com, read.
“He is understandably upset but wants to thank everyone for their messages of support.
“He hopes to make a swift and full recovery.”
However, consigned to three months on the sidelines at an absolute minimum and probably far longer, there are plenty now questioning whether Beckham’s career is at an end.
Certainly Fabio Capello - who spoke with Beckham late on Sunday - might be looking to move on by the time the midfielder has recovered at some stage during the Euro 2012 qualifiers, leaving England’s most iconic player marooned on 115 caps, in itself a record for a non-goalkeeper.
Yet, speaking at a major United sponsorship tie-up with Turkish Airlines, Charlton, who watched Beckham emerge from Manchester United’s youth system, hopes it is not the end.
“I don’t know if we will see him in an England shirt again. I hope so,” said the 1966 World Cup winner.
“I have known him for a long time and he gets a lot of pleasure out of playing the game.
“Forget about all the finance and the hyperbole that goes with it, he just loves playing football.”
Charlton was fortunate to avoid serious injury throughout his own illustrious career.
That does not mean he is oblivious to the anguish Beckham must now be feeling at what appeared an innocuous incident that had such major consequences.
“If it had happened to me I would have been distraught,” said Charlton.
“I was lucky with injuries. He has got one of the worst kind.
“It will take such a long time to get right and you don’t have much time when you are 34.”
What do you think? Have your say.
Charlton sympathy for Beckham
March 15, 2010
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David Beckham is stretchered off the pitch against Chievo
Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
BE BLUE, MANCHESTER (15/03/2010 at 09:37)
STRETFORDIAN, TRAFFORD (15/03/2010 at 10:10)
Red or Dead, Manchester (15/03/2010 at 10:15)
I am gutted for him, what he has done for English football over the years is immeasurable and although it's easy to call him, especially if you're a sad and bitter blue I bet no one can name another player with his passion, determination and experience. It is very sad, he went to Milan to try to secure that place and now it's over.
Be Blue - you support city so your players are money whores, and only get in the media for wanting to do one from your massive club. Why don't you put your bitterness to one side for once in your sad lives and see that this is a loss for the England team and is a sad way for an England great to see out his career. We know you don't have players with such passion and desire hence you can't relate. Umpteen England managers respected Beckham and he has played for the biggest clubs in England, Spain and Italy but that's probably a fluke isn't it. As usual you have showed yourself up as a United hater and that is the root of your petty comments.
mick the red fireman, middleton (15/03/2010 at 10:33)
Green and gold until we fold, Manchester (15/03/2010 at 10:45)
Gilly, Belgium (15/03/2010 at 11:11)
Well done , you have been great and are a legend for Manchester United and for England !!
a great shame !
david Smith (15/03/2010 at 11:13)
BE BLUE, MANCHESTER (15/03/2010 at 11:19)
15/03/2010 at 10:15
Being an even more bitter red than me being a bitter blue you thicko you have your opinion and typically being a dirty red anyone elses opinion is to be slated..what a numpty you and all the other sheep who keep harping on about beckham are.... i have not mentioned the scum who he used to play for so whats your problem... because you cant be a city hater can you ...what a wally
david Smith (15/03/2010 at 12:06)
United:The team supported by the majority of mancunians (15/03/2010 at 12:09)
BE BLUE, MANCHESTER
15/03/2010 at 11:19
Can't even recognise a once great footballer. Bitterness shows itself in so many ways, doesn't it Bertie.
Basil Fawlty, sweden (15/03/2010 at 12:16)
sneakitawc (15/03/2010 at 12:47)
gillykins, urmston (15/03/2010 at 12:55)
Cyprus Red, Cyprus (15/03/2010 at 14:30)
Malc, oldham (15/03/2010 at 14:35)
BALL AND BAT, ALL OVER (15/03/2010 at 16:00)
barca99, Salford (15/03/2010 at 16:34)
Best of luck Mr Beckham with the rest of your career and remember that you will always be welcome back at your spiritual home with real supporters who see you for what you were.
SAFs RedKnight, Manchester (15/03/2010 at 16:50)
Well Said That Man.
There are some shocking comments here, all from Bitters...... Geeezz there is some bad Karma coming from that club of late,,, probably to do with the fact their season is over as per normal.
I feel for Becks, he deserved one last World Cup, and so what he can't run as much as he used to, because his talent is still there for all to see, and as a wise old head coming on the bench he was perfect.
Best of luck David, be positive, and you'll be back.
Scholesy passed me the ball.., LU:HG (15/03/2010 at 17:11)
Bigmouth strikes again, Manchester (15/03/2010 at 17:46)
Man City Fan, Sir Lowrys Pass, Somerset West, Cape Town (15/03/2010 at 19:06)
GET REAL HAD WE HAD HIM AT CITY THIS SEASON, WE WOULD NOT BE BATTLING FOR 4TH, HE CAN AT LEAST CROSS A BALL WITH ACCURACY.
Lassi Vakkilainen (15/03/2010 at 21:32)
Beckham's press assistant has confirmed that Beckham's wife is coming to Finland as well.
Doc Savage (15/03/2010 at 22:32)
Red Man, Hulme, Manchester (15/03/2010 at 23:17)
If you're gonna take shots at Man U you may as well just say it and get it off you're chest, what's the connection between Rooney and Beckham? Man United! You were obviously referring to the fact that Man Utd players past and present get into the papers for all the right reasons whilst your lot are in there for doing a runner to Brazil/whinging about contracts/stamping on people (delete where applicable)... On the subject of Beckham, wether or not he is still up to standard is open to debate but one thing you can't question about the man is his commitment to the England shirt... I feel for the guy, get well soon Becks!
Roy Boy, Alberta, Canada. (16/03/2010 at 02:40)