WHO CARES!

Who cares! Its time for him to retire and do other things.

David Beckham missing out on the world cup does not mean anything. Seriously the only reason that CNN, BBC, FOX etc etc focus on Becks is because of the blatant anglo bias. England has not been further than the quarters in Becks career, you know why, because they are garbage. Compare them with France who had Zidane or Brazil with Ronaldo before he found cheeseburgers, and why is it that we even care about him.

Players more interesting than Beckham during his career.

Ronaldo, Zidane, Henry, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldhino, Haji, Barthez,

It does not matter one bit, Beckam is not that important in the world soccer scene, sure he can score a free kick here and there but his best days are behind him. This might actually be better for the English team that can give his slot to a young up and coming talent.. Beckham? Who is that? and who cares!!!

Beckham is who comes to mind when I think of an athlete who's celebrity most exceeds his value to his team / sport. Any impact will only be felt in the UK and California.

the world cup will miss beckam he is an icon

Beckham's injury is quite sad to see on so many levels. The man has done so much to bring the beautiful game to America (yes he got a fat paycheck but still) and he has been a great role model for today's youth (the competition these days makes him look like an even better role model.... Bill Clinton, Kobe Bryant, Ben R. haha). To see someone who has worked so hard to achieve something and have it snatched away like this is very difficult. He might not be the most physical player, he is certainly far from the most talented, but the man brings a level of composure and thought to the game that few in English history have. The list the previous poster made was full of great players; probably better players than Beckham. But what Ronaldo, Zidane, Henry, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldhino, Haji, Barthez all lack is the ability to carry themselves with dignity, to be an ambassador for the sport for an entire country (arguably 2 continents) and to play with such longevity that it scares the common man.

David is an inspiration and to the haters. I care. David has played in 3 World Cups, scored in every match and would have been inspiration to the England squad even if it were just cheering from the bench.

For those who think David is just a celebrity. Look at his record. Treble with Manchester. Only a few players in history have achieved this. Many League Championships. Three World Cups, scoring in everyone. Over one hundred appearances for England.

I totally disagree with @Chaz. Beckham inspires kids all over the world to play and play fair and work hard. He has worked so hard on his career.

@zachary, thank you, great comments

Carry themselves with Dignity? Give me a break Zach.. Are you insane? All the great players listed above carried themselves with dignity and with pride... stop your ridiculous thread.. Beckam is just a marketing icon.. nothing more... he will not be missed... hilarious...

Give Beckham the face of (Italy's footballer) Grosso, and no one would have ever heard of him. He is just a pretty face with a hot chick.

anyways...this is not going to make a difference...England never did anything relevant in the sport after being champs with a help from the friendly whistle during the 66 World Cup.

The his the best at what he does.I personally belived that if England were to succeede in SA2010,he'll be a vital part of it...he can come off the bench and provide that sublime cross above 90min to just when every other star is out touch....it certainly takes away some venom from England,and the BecksPlanet of course. Kano-Nigeria.

He is the best at what he does.I personally belived that if England were to succeede in SA2010,he'll be a vital part of it...he can come off the bench and provide that sublime cross above 90min...just when every other star is out touch....it certainly takes away some venom from England,and the BecksPlanet of course. Kano-Nigeria.

[...] What does Beckham's injury mean to the World Cup? [...]

okay...really?!!!
all u ppl gotta do iz hate on beckham?? wow....i think we're all forgetting who got england in de semi finals....whoz been de part of man U..and haz gotten dem de most league titles??
okay...i knoe becks iz not as gr8 az he 1ce waz...but cum on!! hez stil real gud compared 2 sum uther playerz!!
and ppl.....if all u gotta say is bad stuff....den u cud keep all de hatred 2 urself plz..
U ROULE BECKHAM...AND NUTHN CAN CHANGE DAHT!!!!!!

Beckham's ability is nowhere near what it once was. To those who criticize his achievements, you can't possibly be serious. he has captained England, achieved the treble 1999 among other achievements. If you honestly think a pretty face and market-ability is why he has been selected on 3 of the best clubs in the world, then perhaps you can't wait to see Brad Pitt don a DC.United shirt? You should honestly quit your hating of a true competitor, a remarkable athlete, and a great Ambassador of the game. Becks if you read this...I say THANK YOU...you have done so much for the game I love.
Best regards , and get well soon...... Dan Maddalena Spfld. Ohio

TOO MUCH CIRCUS FOR A FOOTBALL PLAYER,!!!! IS HE REALLY PART OF PROFESSIONALISM Or IS JUST MARKETING SHOW !! WHEN HE HAS PLAYED REALLY 90 MINUTES AS A GREAT PLAYER ? IS ONLY PART OF THE MEDIA TOO CREATE HOLLYWOOD IDOLS AND MAKE MONEY !! THAT´S ALL !

Beckham is the most important player of England for me and I think, their absence of the world cup is a very, very sad thing, and is a huge problem to the England team, because without Beckham they never came to the quarters: He put England in a position to win, but, the team it never accompanied it!!!.

All of his titles that he bring are not a fantasy: The first england player who play 4 world cup is one of them and that is because their hard work!!!. He is an example of hard work and fitness.

It would be great that the people in charge, give it to him a tribute for his all career and do not permit he left the world cup field like Zizou in the last world cup (Zizou does not say good bye like a King, because the italian player). Hopefully this will not happen with Beckham.

Hopefully too, you can see this:

THANK YOU...YOU ARE THE BEST, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE FIELD...BECAUSE FOR YOU...ALL THE WORLD IS A FIELD OF GAME AND YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST PLAYERS...YOU ARE STRONG, DECIDED AND AN EXCELLENT PERSON (WITHOUT COUNTING THE EXCELLENT SOCCER PLAYER WHO YOU ARE).

GET WELL SOON!!!

BEST REGARDS!!!.

Nassly, Panamá.

Well!!! The present of beckham in england team at the world cup is insignificant because, all what he does, there are great players like rooney and gerald can do it, so why worry ourselves.

Well!!! The presence of beckham in england team at the world cup is insignificant because, all what he does, there are great players like rooney and gerald can do it, so why worry ourselves.

What does it mean? It means no camera shots of Victoria and that's what we (the guys) all really want to see!

Seriously, there have been better footballers, but few who have carried themselves with better dignity in view of the media pressure nowadays. If he walked out just once on crutches for just 10 seconds I'd give him a standing ovation.

Jonathan Cantor, New York, NY

Haterade is definitely the drink of some here but you can't argue with the statistics and history. Beckham is a great player and has been for a long time. It's not his fault people are enamored by him and he is treated like a rock star. If we all looked like him plus had his skills none of us would turn down his life. On the pitch he is poised and powerful, his pinpoint accuracy is always incredible and you just can't argue that, go ahead haters, try and prove me wrong. Reality is reality so deal with it, he's an icon and an ambassador for the most popular sport on earth and if kids look up to him great. Blame the media for making what he does off the pitch more important than what he does on it but don't knock a man obviously devoted to the same game you guys are supposedly devoted to. All that being said I think Beckham missing the world cup won't hurt it much. I think Beckham will be the most upset. Maybe financially due to promotion and marketing a little but not so much. England will be fine without him because he is not such an impact player. They would love to have him but he is no Wayne Rooney. Sad to see his 4th world cup hopes dashed like this and I'm sure LA Galaxy aren't too happy now but thats life.

Yeah Gerald, What a player!
You stupid yankees have no idea about Football.
Beckham is an England hero on the pitch you have to just be at Wembley and hear the reception he gets when he comes on. The Greece game in 2001 alone makes him a hero for any England fan.
Best dead ball specialist in world football and still has the best cross in the game. A definite loss to the squad.

IN THIS ERA OF FALLEN IDOLS ,TIGER WOODS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE,BECKS IS THE MOST RESPECTED AND PROBABLE RECOGNIZED ATHLETE IN THE PLANET.HIS PRESENSE BRINGS DIGNITY TO THE SPORT.HE IS A LOSS TO ENGLAND SQUAD.I HOPE HE RECOVER WELL.

As with just about everything with David Beckham these days, the most important impact is off the pitch rather than on it.

He is 34, way past his best, and would only have been a fringe player even if fit.

It is time rather to be talking about players of real significance who will impact the tournament – like Lionel Messi for example.

i think that the presence of Beckham in WC, will be very important especially for the england team players, because he will be a great example for them

ALBANIA

I really care that he will miss the WC. A very great mid-fielder England and Manchester United ever had. Even today he surpasses the likes of Lampard, Gerrard, Walcott etc.

England and I will miss him very dearly, coz he was the finest in the world.No doubt about it.

I reckon that David days are gone and he's not the only player that
everyone sights perfer, but England can always go without him.

Beckham being out of the World Cup means nothing for viewership or tournament popularity. There are tons of other exciting players to watch.

.........well boys and girls all what you said are right, but we always need to see the big names on one of the important events of the year. Guess what.........Beckham is one of them.