Michael Ballack, one of the best-known players in German football for the past decade, has played for the national side for the last time, the national football federation said on Thursday.
“Michael Ballack will no longer be a part of the German national squad,” the DfB said in a statement.
“I have discussed things openly with Michael Ballack, most recently in our meeting in March 2011 and in numerous phone calls,” coach Joachim Loew said.
“With the Euro 2012 season about to start the time has come for me to make a clear statement,” Loew said.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder, 34, has not played for Germany since March 2010, and in terms of performance at least, his absence has not been felt.
Injured in a brutal tackle by Portsmouth’s Kevin-Prince Boateng in the FA Cup final, Ballack played no part in the World Cup last year, when Germany played some of the best football of the tournament to finish third.
And in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2012 hosted by Poland and Ukraine, Germany are sitting pretty at the top of their qualifying group with a 10-point lead, virtually assuring a berth for the Germans.
In his place Bayern Munich’s Philipp Lahm has captained the side.
“Recent months have shown that lots of young players with promising futures have appeared on the scene. Since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa the development of the national team has been absolutely positive,” Loew said.
“Michael Ballack was for a decade a very important leading player in the national side and contributed enormously to the great successes of the team after the 2002 World Cup,” added Loew, coach since 2006.
“He shaped an era and as captain always put himself at the service of the team, as I was able to witness at close quarters at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008.”
German media reports had hinted Ballack would play his 99th — and final game — for Germany against Brazil in a friendly in Stuttgart in August.
But Loew’s latest comments suggest Ballack’s career will finish with 98 caps and 42 goals for his country, having made his debut in 1999.
Ballack played for Bayern Munich from 2002 and 2006 before moving to Chelsea for a four-year stint at Stamford Bridge. Last season he returned to Bayer Leverkusen, but fractured his leg in only his third game back.
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
hadiejac
posts a 1X2 tip on Emelec vs Universidad Católica 10 minutes ago |
|
hadiejac
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Olancho vs Génesis 10 minutes ago |
|
hadiejac
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Vega Real vs Moca 10 minutes ago |
|
hadiejac
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Trasandino vs Concepcion 10 minutes ago |
|
hadiejac
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Rangers vs Curicó Unido 10 minutes ago |
|
hadiejac
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Athletic Club vs ABC 10 minutes ago |
|
hadiejac
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Cuiabá vs Palmeiras 10 minutes ago |
|
hadiejac
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Defensores Belgrano VR vs Independiente Chivilcoy 10 minutes ago |
|
emi
posts a 1X2 tip on Venezuela U20 W vs Argentina U20 W 28 minutes ago |
|
emi
posts a 1X2 tip on Newtown United vs Conaree United 28 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
General Caballero JLM vs Olimpia |
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
Vega Real vs Moca |
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
Diriangén U20 vs Real Estelí U20 |
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams having a draw in the last five matches.
Teams that have won all their home matches.
Athletic Club U19 |
Sign in to view more football teams.
Teams that have not won at away matches.
Abia Warriors |
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters with consecutive winnings in their recent predictions.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
I like soccer punter because it's free, enjoyable and no risk taking, you just give out your predictions without any charges,also it gives rewards to its members and upgrade them to platninum levels.
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2024 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: