Former Chelsea midfielder and German http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Captain-c8314 Michael Ballack retires from international football
The German Football Federation confirmed that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-c25261 Ballack had retired from international football.
The former Germany skipper has made an impressive 98 appearances for his country, but was unfortunately not able to feature for Germany in the 2010 World Cup in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/South-Africa-c757.
Ballack was forced to watch from the sidelines as a relatively younger http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 squad finished third place in the tournament.
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 and current Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has not had quite the same impact on the Germany squad, which is why it was announced he would no longer be considered for selection.
Joachim Low, the Germany coach, said while speaking to reporters:
“Over the last few months, many young players have come into focus and the development of the team has run smoothly since the 2010 World Cup.
We have discussed the issue of Michael Ballack several times, most recently in late March 2011, and it has come to a stage to make a clear decision.”
Even though Ballack is still considered to be one of the top footballers in Europe, he is 34 years old and has recently been injury plagued.
Low continued, confirming Michael Ballack’s retirement:
“For a decade, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Ballack-c25270 has been a leading player in the national team and had an enormous stake in the success of the team since the 2002 World Cup.
His ability and class speak volumes, as do his eye for goal and his nerves of steel, especially in big games.
We (the DFB) would like to say a sincere thank you for his great contribution to German football.”
Ballack made his debut for the Germany national side in 1999, and went on to play a part in the 2000 UEFA Euro and 2002 FIFA World Cup.
It was after the 2004 UEFA Euro that Ballack replaced http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oliver-c28477 Kahn as the captain of Germany team and did well in the 2006 World Cup.
He led his side to a third place finish in the World Cup and managed to make it to the FIFA World Cup All Star Team second time in a row.
He returned from injury right in time to help his side reach the final of the 2008 UEFA Euro final, which unfortunately Germany lost 1-0 to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011.
Ballack will be invited to feature for Germany in a friendly against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858 in August, which would make it his 99th appearance for his country if he accepts the offer.
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