Beckham Handles Injury with Optimism and Grace

There's nothing worse than when forces beyond your control prevent you from doing the thing you love most.

Case in point? Soccer superstar David Beckham, who was abruptly sidelined Sunday after he ruptured his Achilles tendon during the final minutes of AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo Verona. Beckham is on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy and playing for Milan as part of the Italian league.

Beckham appeared visibly in pain after he started hopping on his right foot just after taking a pass with his left and awkwardly stepping back. He hobbled off the field and news of his injury immediately sounded grim.

Some reports say the injury might end his career, while many predict that he is highly unlikely to play in the World Cup this June and July in South Africa.

Yet one person who seems determined to keep a positive attitude about the injury is Beckham himself, who announced in a statement Monday that he hopes "to make a swift and full recovery," according to USA Today.

To be sure, he is not in denial about the seriousness of his injury, but he appears buoyed by the support of millions of fans worldwide.

"I am upset but want to thank everyone for their messages of support," he also said in Monday's statement, the same day he flew to Finland to meet with specialist Dr. Sakari Orava.

Orava might operate as early as today and also seems optimistic about the 34-year-old athlete's chances of returning to the game he loves.

"Top athletes usually heal well but it's a few months until you are back at the same level as you were before," Orava told Sky Sports News. "I don't think it is a big difference to be (aged) 25 or 35, it will be three, four, five months. Most of these patients come back at the same level, even in a top soccer player."

We certainly don't know what Beckham's soccer career will look like going forward, but if attitude and gratitude play any part in recovery, we predict this dedicated athlete might be back on the field in no time.

Photo by Calebrw via Wikimedia Commons.