HEARTBROKEN David Beckham was carried off on a stretcher with an injury that rules him OUT of the World Cup.

The former England captain wept after rupturing his Achilles tendon while playing for AC Milan last night, and told a doctor: "It's broken, it's broken."

Becks, 34, had been dreaming of playing in a fourth successive World Cup finals.

Battered ... star with gash sustained in match

REUTERS

He will fly to Finland today to undergo surgery.

Wife Victoria was last night set to jet out from Los Angeles to comfort the shattered ace, who had signed for Milan on loan from LA Galaxy in the hope of impressing England manager Fabio Capello.

He and assistant Franco Baldini both telephoned Becks to offer their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

But the star fears he may now not play in South Africa this summer - or ever again.

Beckham's spokesman said last night: "He's devastated by the injury. He's fearful of what it could mean for his World Cup hopes. We will see in the morning the full extent of the injury. Victoria is flying out to him immediately. She is naturally worried about him."

Becks was about to kick the ball unchallenged during the game against Chievo when he suddenly pulled up.

Call ... Capello

The midfielder, who had earlier suffered a cut to his face when he was kicked, frantically signalled to the Milan bench. A TV reporter said he told the club doctor: "It's broken, it's broken."

A Milan spokesman confirmed he had suffered a ruptured Achilles, adding: "It's so sad. He's very unlucky." Coach Leonardo said: "Beckham's injury makes us feel terrible."

Becks broke a metatarsal bone in his foot weeks before the 2002 World Cup, but recovered in time to play in the tournament in Japan. But experts warn it will probably be THREE MONTHS before he can even start training again