Coudl David Beckham really be at the World Cup this year?
26th April 2010
... Comments
Rumours have it that David Beckham could be at the World Cup in South Africa, though it is all dependant on whether his consultant surgeon gives him the go ahead.
If Dr Sakari Orava gives Beckham the go-ahead then he will join up with the squad when they fly out on June 2. There is one more important qualification to his involvement – England will also have to make sure that he can carry out his rehabilitation work at their training camp in Rustenburg.
If the necessary facilities and equipment are not available then Beckham, 34, will not be allowed to go especially as he is determined, despite fears over the future of his career, to play again before the end of the year.
Capello contacted Beckham the night he tore the Achilles playing for AC Milan last month and immediately offered him the chance to go to South Africa. The offer was partly to raise Beckham's spirits but Capello is also serious in his belief that the midfielder can be an asset to England.
It is a mark of how highly Capello rates Beckham – as a person as well as a player – that he has made the offer even though the Italian is aware of the worldwide interest and attention that he attracts and the danger of his presence being a distraction.
The manager believes that Beckham retained qualities – especially with his passing and ability at set-pieces, as well as his experience and the way in which he conducts himself – that were important to his squad.
Whether Beckham is now anything more than a glorified cheerleader if he goes to South Africa remains to be seen, but it is thought likely that Capello may ask him to carry out other duties, especially helping to work with some members of the squad.
If he goes to the World Cup it will also please the organisers, who have already asked if he would take part in the opening ceremony. It will also boost England's bid to host the 2018 tournament with Beckham's involvement having already helped resurrect a failing campaign.
Will be worth him going, just to see what hair style he adopts as he normally has an outlandish style that most young boys want to adopt and cause a talking point amongst the media.
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