The 34-year-old, who went under the knife of specialist Dr Sakari Orava on Monday after rupturing his achilles tendon in Milan’s win over Chievo at the weekend and the on-loan Los Angeles Galxy star was immediately ruled out of competing in his fourth World Cup in the summer.

It will be four months before he can run and six before he can jump and kick a ball following his 50-minute operation in a clinic just over 100 miles from the capital Helsinki.

Orava, who has also operated on Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola and athletes Haile Gebrselassie and Merlene Ottey, said:  (His mood) was pretty good. He was smiling and there was no pain. He was really happy.

‘He’s a nice patient, he’s very satisified with everything, behaves well and doesn’t complain.

‘walking exercises are the first day’s program after surgery. After that he will get a detailed program for further rehabilitation, and then, (Wednesday) probably, he flies to London, and then to the US.’