FIFA World Cup 2010: Michael Ballack injured, Germany hopes suffer

In a dramatic turn of events, Michael Ballack was ruled out of the World Cup after procuring an injury at the FA Cup Final. Ballack underwent an X-ray after the injury which showed no major damage but in tests conducted later at Munich – it was found that he had torn a ligament in the ankle area. This means that Ballack will play no further part in Germany’s attempt at the title in this edition. He needs at least eight weeks for rehabilitation.

Ballack: Going down.

The German International and Chelsea mid-fielder has 98 caps for his country. The injury was caused by a clumsy tackle put in by Kevin- Prince Boateng. He limped off the pitch in the 35^th minute and had crutches on when last seen.

This means that Coach Joaquim Lowe will have to do without his most influential player and captain. Germany were Semi-finalists in the last edition and were knocked out by ultimate champions Italy. 33 year old Ballack’s international career is likely to end here.

Ballack has had an unfortunate career at the international stage. He was red-carded in the semi-final of the 2002 World cup and missed the final that they lost to Brazil. He responded to this injury in a disappointed yet spirited mood : “It’s bitter to get a diagnosis like that before the World Cup. There’s naturally a lot of disappointment. But that’s football. Life goes on.”

The 27 man provisional squad for Germany includes star players like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez.

Germany squad:

Ballack: no more kisses!

Goalkeepers: Joerg Butt (Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Schalke), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen)Defenders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburger SV), Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim), Jerome Boateng (Hamburger SV), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Marcell Jansen (Hamburger SV), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke)Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Sami Khedira (Stuttgart), Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen), Marko Marin (Werder Bremen), Mesut Oezil (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Christian Traesch (Stuttgart), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV) Forwards: Cacau (Stuttgart), Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Cologne)