David Beckham's ambition of becoming the first England player to feature at four FIFA World Cups was all but ended on Sunday when he ruptured his Achilles tendon during AC Milan's 1-0 win against AC Chievo Verona.

The 34-year-old midfielder, who began his second loan spell at San Siro in January, started against Chievo but had been forced off by the time Clarence Seedorf struck the late winner which took Milan to within a point of Serie A leaders FC Internazionale Milano. "Unfortunately, it's quite easy to know when there is a rupture of the tendon," said coach Leonardo. "It's a big blow for us."

Beckham will travel for surgery in Finland today and word from Milan's medical staff is that he is likely to be out for five to eight months. That would mean England's most-capped outfield player missing the remainder of the season and the World Cup.