David Beckham's return to form has taken a new twist - a bad
twist of his right knee.
The Los Angeles Galaxy-bound midfielder will be sidelined for
about a month after hurting a knee ligament during a Spanish League
game last weekend, an injury that eliminated his chance of being
recalled to England's national team for upcoming European
Championship qualifiers.
The 31-year-old hurt his right knee during Real Madrid's 1-1 tie
with Getafe on Sunday when his momentum following a cross took him
into an advertising sign behind the goal. He limped off the field,
and a scan Monday revealed the injured ligament.
"Obviously, we hope it's not a serious injury so he can get back
to helping Real Madrid challenge for the title," Galaxy general
manager Alexi Lalas said. "We do not expect this injury to affect
his arrival in Los Angeles or his debut with the Galaxy.'"
Beckham missed three games in November due to an injured left
knee, which he hurt at the World Cup.
Beckham agreed in January to a five-year contract with the
Galaxy worth about $27.5 million in base salary. His contract with
Real Madrid ends June 30, and the Galaxy expect he will join the
team in August.
Beckham was taken off in the 69th minute, 37 minutes after
teammate Jose Antonio Reyes was carried off on a stretcher after
hurting his left knee. Both will miss Wednesday's European
Champions League game at Bayern Munich.
Famous for his bending free kicks and crosses, Beckham has 17
goals in 94 appearances for England. He was captain for 58,
stepping down after England was eliminated by Portugal in last
year's World Cup quarterfinals, when Beckham limped off with an
Achilles' tendon injury. He has not played for England since.
His wife, Victoria, is a former member of the Spice Girls, and
the pair are expected to provide a boost to MLS in attendance and
television ratings.
Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello benched him from Dec. 20 until
Feb. 10. When Beckham first agreed to a contract with the Galaxy,
the coach said he wouldn't play for Real Madrid again, but Capello
then changed his mind.
England plays at Israel on March 24 in a 2008 European
Championship qualifier, and then visits Andorra four days later.
The English team is tied for third place in Group E, trailing both
Croatia and Russia. Only the top two nations in the group
qualify.
(China Daily via AP March 7, 2007)