David Beckham sent an open letter to his AC Milan teammates Friday, offering his support for the remainder of the season.
Beckham tore his Achilles' tendon in Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo Verona on Sunday, cutting short his second loan period with the Italian club from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
``I want to wish everyone good luck and to say I hope they can bring home the championship,'' the 34-year-old midfielder wrote on the club's Web site. ``I would also like to thank you all for your support after the Chievo Verona match. I hope to play with you again and be part of this marvelous club.''
Milan is second in the Italian league on 58 points, one behind league leader Inter Milan.
Beckham underwent surgery on the injury in Finland on Monday. He will miss the World Cup and is expected to be out for about six months.
National team manager Fabio Capello told a TV station in Spain that he invited Beckham to accompany the team in South Africa.
``We've asked Beckham to come with us to South Africa,'' he told Gol Television. ``He can be there with us. It depends on him and other things, on how the injury is. It's clear he won't be able to play.''
In two loans with Milan, Beckham played 29 matches and scored two goals.
Beckham was trying to earn a place on the World Cup roster and become the first English player to appear in four World Cups.
He will miss most of the MLS season, which ends in October.
