Former England captain David Beckham's World Cup dream seemed battered on Sunday when he tore left Achilles' tendon in AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo in the Italian top-flight soccer league.

The injury occurred when Beckham was by himself with the ball at his feet. He shifted his weight and immediately realized there was a problem, reaching his hand down to his left heel.

He gestured to the sideline that he was injured and was off the field in tears.

Club physician Jean Pierre Meersseman said that Beckham will fly to Finland on Monday for surgery, where he will be treated by specialist surgeon Sakari Orava.

Beckham, 34, moved to the Italian side on a loan in a bid to make his fourth World Cup appearance.