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Tuesday, October 13, 2009
BANGKOK
THESPORT Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo’s injured right ankle will keep him out for three or four weeks, Spanish media said yesterday. “Madrid upset; they think Portugal should not have pushed the player [to turn out for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Hungary], headlined Marca. “Four weeks out”, the daily noted, listing all the matches the world’s most expensive player will miss, including Champions league ties against AC Milan on October 21 and November 3. “It was reckless of him to play,” Marca quoted a Real Madrid source as saying. “Understandable recklessness, but reckless.” The AS newspaper ran a quote from the ¤94 million player as a headline: “I pushed it to help my country.” Ronaldo had shaken off a twist to the same ankle to start Saturday’s Group One clash, but lasted just 27 minutes of the 3-0 victory in Lisbon. Real Madrid lie second in the league after six games, three points behind champions Barcelona. Ronaldo, Real’s leading league scorer with five, missed their 2-1 defeat away to Sevilla on October 4 because of the ankle problem he picked up the previous week against Marseille in the Champions league.
DAILY XPRESS
HENIN GETS WILDCARD Former world No 1 Justine Henin has been granted a wildcard to play in the 2010 Australian Open in her return to tennis, organisers said.
RECKLESS RON!
Becks Milan loan ‘very probable’ AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani said yesterday that it’s very likely that David Beckham will join the club on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy again in January. “It’s very probable that Beckham will come to Milan on loan until June 30, but I don’t consider anything done until there’s a signature,” Galliani said at a meeting in Monaco yesterday, according to the ANSA news agency. Tim Leiweke, the chief executive of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Galaxy, said last week he wants the deal for Beckham’s return to Milan to be completed within two weeks. Beckham performed well in a six-month loan with Milan last season, and he wants to return to Europe to maintain his place on England’s World Cup squad. Milan could use the help, with only nine points through the first seven rounds of Serie A and new coach Leonardo’s job already on the line. Beckham has helped the Galaxy reach the Major League Soccer play-offs for the first time in four years and the November 22 final is in their sights.
GOLF
FOOTBALL
Unbeatable Tiger seals US win
I’m not a rapist, says Gascoigne
After providing a defining moment in the Presidents Cup, it was only fitting that Tiger Woods delivered the winning point in another American victory over their International foes. Woods amassed a perfect five victories in five matches in four days of competition – including snatching a crucial victory from the jaws of defeat on Saturday. >PAGE 24
Paul Gascoigne angrily rejected claims by ex-wife Sheryl that he would insist on sex 10 times a day – even if she didn’t want it. The former England star, 42, said: “What rubbish. She’s only saying these things to sell her book and make money. I’m no rapist! I’m not putting up with this.” He said he plans to consult his lawyers about launching legal action against his ex. >PAGE 25