David Beckham's Fitness Level "Ahead of Schedule"

At the rate he's progressing, David Beckham's playing time will increase quickly over the next few weeks. Beckham played for the second time in as many weeks when he came on in the 53rd minute of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s 2-1 comeback victory over D.C. United last Saturday. It wasn’t exactly effortless, though. “It was a good workout for myself,” Beckham said. “I was puffing a little bit more than I was last week, but it was more minutes on the field and that’s what I need.”

In five weeks then, Beckham has gone from not having trained with team at all to playing a large portion of the second half. That he’s back playing and in the mix at all in mid-September is something that may soon be taken as a given, but Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said perspective is important. “Again, we need to appreciate [that] this is a player that six months ago tore his Achilles tendon,” Arena said. “To be back this quickly and be able to contribute what he has the last two games I think is very impressive. He’s ahead of schedule.”

Beckham’s fitness level is still a ways from being to where he would like it to be, he said. Regaining the strength in his tendon is one thing, but Beckham’s overall fitness took a massive hit as well. Hobbling around in a cast and recently torn Achilles tendon, there wasn’t much he could do.

“When you’ve been out for six months, and obviously with this kind of injury, it’s hard to do too much workout while you’re rehabbing it,” Beckham said. “For four months, I probably didn’t do hardly anything and then try to step it up. It’s going to take a while to get my match fitness and [Saturday] helps.”

How much Beckham plays against New York on Friday is likely undetermined. Arena had said he would like for his star player to incrementally increase his playing time, and in the matter of two weeks, he has almost doubled his time on the field.

Whether Beckham comes on as a second-half substitute, replaces someone at halftime or comes on in the first half remains to be seen. A start against New York would seem a leap too big to take at this point, but starting and playing 90 minutes is in Arena’s crosshairs.

“Our goal is to get him completely match-fit by playoff time,” Arena said. “I think we’re ahead of the curve. … If everything goes well and there are no setbacks, he should be on schedule.”
source: LA Galaxy

David Visits a Massage Parlor

I guess being a worldclass athlete will take it's toll on anybody - even a soccer superstar like David Beckham. Here the father of three was photographed exiting a Thai massage parlour last week while wife Victoria was away in NYC.

David came in late at night to the relaxation venue in Venice Beach, which is only 14 miles from his home in Hollywood Hills. The upmarket Lamai Thai parlour markets itself as a reputable clinic that treats a variety of injuries. It is also a favorite of Mrs. Beckham and the couple pay regular visits together.

Masseuse Al Manomai treated Beckham last Monday. "David has visited the shop a few times," she said. "He wanted his leg and back worked on but told me to be careful of his ankle as he has an injury. I was standing on his back and we did a lot of stretches. He came in quite late though and didn’t have time for a cup of tea afterwards."

source: DailyMail

Video: David Discusses His Return From Injury

Video: David Discusses His Return After Being Injured

After the Galaxy training session, David Beckham attended a news conference at The Home Depot Center in Carson. There he discussed his return to the game after being injured in March while still on loan at AC Milan.

Photo via: Zimbio

A Message from David

After recieving countless fan letters and emails of support and well wishes, David Beckham has released the following statement:

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their messages of support, they mean a lot to me. The operation was a success and I'd like to thank Dr. Orava and all the medical staff who looked after me during my time in Finland. I'm feeling positive and now concentrating on getting back to full fitness over the coming months."

source: www.davidbeckham.com - photo: www.zigazig-ha.com

Victoria Helps David After Surgery

After flying from LA to Finland, Victoria Beckham escorted her husband out of the hospital where he had a successful sugerical procedure done to his achilles tendon by renowned orthopedic surgeon, Sakari Ovara. After the procedure, the couple boarded a flight back to England where Victoria helped get David situated at their Hertfordshire mansion, Beckingham Palace.

As for Milan, they intend to start David's rehibilitation immediately. "The plan includes a complete recovery in six months," says the club.

source: DailyMail

Video: David Tears his Achilles Tendon

Leaving the San Siro to applause:

Reactions to David's Injury

England's Fabio Capello: "We have to wait for the results of the scan, but it looks like he is out of the World Cup. I spoke with him after the game on Sunday night to offer my support, as did Franco Baldini. David is a great professional and has worked very hard to be ready for the World Cup, so missing it will be a big blow. I am very sad for David that he has suffered this injury."

Milan coach Leonardo: "Beckham's injury makes us feel terrible. He is an extraordinary guy and today's game proves it yet again. I cannot enjoy this evening considering this serious injury. David understood immediately that he had torn his Achilles tendon."

AC Milan's Ignazio Abate: "Beckham is not well. To see him suffer like that has really touched us."

Adriano Galliani, Milan's vice-president: "I saw him really suffering. In the changing room I hugged him and told him that if he wants he can join us next year, too."

LA Galaxy Captain, Landon Donovan: "First and foremost, we are devastated for David. Those of us in the locker room know how much it meant to him to give himself a chance to play in the World Cup. Now that is gone."

LA Coach Bruce Arena: "Injuries are an unfortunate part of our game and they are even more disappointing when they happen to a player who was so close to realizing his dream of representing his nation at this summer's World Cup. David remains an important player for the Galaxy and we look forward to welcoming him back to the club and assisting him in his recovery."

MLS Commissioner Don Garber: "We just received the information about David's unfortunate injury. We wish him a speedy recovery."

David Injures Himself... Jeopardizing World Cup Dreams

March 14th was not the best day for AC Milan/LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham as the soccer hero suffered an injury to his achiles tendon.

David, who had hopes of joining the England squad in this summer's World Cup, was first injured when Chievo's Giampiero Pinzi struck him in the face, leaving him with a bloody cut on his right cheek.

Then came the devestation when David fell to his knees and hobbled off the pitch in pain after tearing his achilles tendon. This injury puts his World Cup dreams in great jeopardy because he will need to rest, heal, and recuperate for atleast nine months.

He did undergo a successful surgery in Finland with Victoria by his side.

source: DailyMail

David Beckham Will Not be Playing in Tonight's Match

If you guys recall, David Beckham walked off the field last weekend after the Galaxy vs Toronto FC game concluded with his right ankle bandaged. Well, yesterday the Galaxy confirmed that David would not participate in tonight's match against the defending MLS champion Crew.

On Thursday, the Galaxy declined to comment when David was not aboard the team's flight to Ohio. A Beckham spokesman said the he had an Achilles tendon injury and that no decision would be made until after Beckham was reevaluated. Bruce Arena, the Galaxy's coach and general manager, said at the news conference in Columbus that "it was a 50-50 thing" whether Beckham would travel and that "we decided to use better judgment and give him this game off."

After David scored two goals and assisted on three others in his eight games this season, Arena shrugged off his absence. "He's missed about 18 to 20 games for us this year, so it's not the end of the world," Arena said. "This is all part of it. Teams miss players throughout the season, whether it's [due to] injuries or suspensions or other reasons. We've learned to play a lot of games without him and we're going to play another one. It [the Achilles problem] is something that David always has an issue with. I expect him to be back next week" for the Oct. 2 home game against the Chicago Fire.

source: LA Times