David Beckham Is Injured And Out Again
Posted August 31, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Left, right, left, right – No, it’s not a march, it’s the order of David Beckham’s injuries.
The lauded British soccer superstar was hurt, yet again, on Wednesday night after being tackled by Pachuca midfielder Fernando Salazar in the first half of the SuperLiga title match.
Beckham, whose five-year contract guarantees an annual salary of $6.5 million, could miss the rest of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s season because of a sprained right knee. He’s played 310 minutes in six games, which comes to about $21,000 a minute if he’s out for the season.
The English midfielder underwent an MRI exam that confirmed Thursday he sprained the medial collateral ligament in his knee, the team said in a statement.
He is expected to be out for around six weeks while he heals and began rehabilitation immediately, said Beckham on Wednesday night after the game.
“It’s just gone from one thing to another thing,” stated Beckham. “Maybe it’s time for me to just say, ‘I need the rest,’ and get it right and don’t come back until it’s right.”
He already has a left ankle injury that caused him to miss seven games since joining the team July 13. That injury occurred while he was playing for England on June 6.
Beckham’s extended absence deals a serious blow to the already slim chance the Galaxy had of making the playoffs. Its Major League Soccer record is 3-10-5 – last in the Western Conference.
Coach Frank Yallop was clearly frustrated about the string of injuries that has devastated his team this season, especially the ones involving the European soccer sensation.
“He shouldn’t play, to be honest. He’s hurt, but he’s playing,” says Yallop. “That shows the character of him and it shows the character of the team because he lifts the team when he plays.
“It’s hard because he’s struggling with injury. He’s trying his best.”
The Galaxy lost 4-3 on penalty kicks.
