Too bad for Beckham

Yesterday in Italian Serie A action, AC Milan closed within one point of table toppers and inter-city rivals, Inter.  However, that story was ridiculously overshadowed by another, less fortunate story.

David Beckham will miss World Cup 2010.

During the last three years, Beckham has been on a whirlwind personal mission to be selected by English national club manager, Fabio Capello.  The Italian manager had declared on numerous occasions that Beckham would not be considered if he only play on his MLS club, the L.A. Galaxy.  These statements led Beckham to pursue a loaned return to European soccer with AC Milan.  He has virtually been playing year-round for the last three years (when healthy), which has certainly taken a tremendous toll on his mid-thirties body.  He also has sacrificed time away from his family to live and work in Milan the last two MLS "offseasons".  Ultimately, Beckham had been doing very well for himself in both Serie A as well as leading the Galaxy to the MLS Cup final last season.  All the hard work and tireless effort had been paying off as he has been included in the last handful of English international fixtures by Capello.  Unfortunately though, all that hassle and hard work has ultimately been for naught.

I have certainly been critical of Beckham in the past.  Initially, I felt slighted as an American soccer supporter when he pursued his loan deal to Milan last year.  Was he too good for American soccer?  However, after educating myself more on the game, I can certainly understand the level of competition discrepancies between the two leagues.  I also have realized (speculatively of course) and come to greatly respect where his soccer heart's allegiance lies...with his home country.

English soccer may get a bad rap at sometimes for being arrogant about the game that they apparently invented.  However, I cannot help but feel bad for a guy that wanted (more than anything) to simply just be on the England roster for this year's World Cup spectacle.  This injury may not only mark the end to his international career, but it could possibly force him to retire from the beautiful game all together.