Even though he’s injured, David Beckham still has a role to play for England at the World Cup

Even though injured, Beckham still at World Cup

RUSTENBURG, England — The most famous man in Royal Bafokeng Stadium won’t be playing for either team on Saturday night.

He was wearing England’s blue training clothes during Friday night’s practice, kicking a ball just like the 23 players eligible to suit up in the famous white jersey.

David Beckham won’t be appearing in his fourth World Cup, though. The 35-year-old midfielder tore his left Achilles’ tendon while playing for AC Milan on March 14 and will miss the entire tournament. Still, he’s with the Three Lions lending support and giving advice, which could come in handy when England plays the United States — and Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy teammates, Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle.

Donovan hasn’t talked with Beckham recently.

“He’s a spy. He’s not going to speak to me,” the American said playfully this week.

Donovan criticized Beckham in a 2008 book, but the two have since made up and helped the Galaxy reach last year’s Major League Soccer championship game.

Now, as often happens in the World Cup, club teammates are on opposite sides. While the bond of being in the same locker room is temporarily broken, mutual admiration remains.

“David has been terrific in every way,” Donovan said. “I think he would tell you that initially it was difficult on the field for him to understand the way the game is played in our country but like he always has, he’s adapted well. And obviously before the injury he was a big part of our team last year.

“Off the field is I think equally clear. I think he’s almost single-handedly brought an awareness to our game that wasn’t there before,” Donovan added. “It would be one thing if he did that subconsciously without knowing and without putting effort into it, but he puts a lot of effort to helping grow the game in our country, and I think we all appreciate that.”

A former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, Beckham joined the Galaxy in 2007 and gave an instant boost to MLS attendance, if not to the Galaxy’s on-field fortunes.

He went on a half-season loan to AC Milan in January 2009 and again in January 2010, wanting to prove to England coach Fabio Capello that he would keep the sharpness necessary to become the first Englishman to appear in four World Cups.

But then came the injury sustained while playing in a Serie A match against Chievo Verona, one that occurred while he wasn’t even being challenged for the ball. Soccer’s most charismatic player — if never quite its best — had his dream shattered.

He came to South Africa anyway to be with the lads, even scouting for Capello at last weekend’s exhibition between the U.S. and Australia. He’ll miss most if not all of the Galaxy season while the foot heals, and his England career may be over after 115 international appearances, second only to goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s 125 from 1970-90.

Becks hasn’t been a shut-in in his Los Angeles-area home.

Even while an active player, the two-time FIFA player of the year runner-up assumed the role of a goodwill ambassador and promoter, following the path set by Pele in the 1970s.

“David has taken us into households that didn’t appreciate the game, didn’t know the game,” U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said. “Attendances are higher at certain games that he plays in. Television ratings are higher.”

His World Cup career may be over. His role in spreading soccer across the United States is not.

“Do people come back when David Beckham isn’t playing to watch the Galaxy play or the team they’re playing against? That’s the longer-lasting issue,” Gulati said. “He’s made it clear that whatever effect he’s had, he wants to see that continue. Whether it’s coaching, managing, ownership, whatever it is.”