Beckham's Back Problems Are Concern

• Los Angeles Times, Friday, July 31, 2009 4:30 PM

David Beckham hoped be able to play in Saturday's Los Angeles Galaxy exhibition with Spanish giant Barcelona despite back problems that forced him to miss practice Thursday at the Home Depot Center.

The English star said the pain flared up a few days ago but it did not prevent him from working out in the gym. He said he and his Galaxy teammates were excited to face Barca.

"Coming up against Barcelona -- European champions, Spanish champions, Spanish Cup champions -- it's an honor for us to play against these teams and these players," he said. "[Lionel] Messi's one of the best, if not the best player in the world. So to come up against someone like him, our players are really looking forward to that."

Read the whole story at Los Angeles Times »