Berlin:
Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup because of a right ankle injury.
The German football federation said Monday that the 33-year-old Chelsea midfielder had torn ligaments in his right ankle from a tackle during his club's 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth on Saturday. Ballack's ankle has been put in a cast and the federation said he won't be able to train for at least eight weeks.
Ballack flew to Germany late Sunday to be examined by national team and Bayern Munich doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt on Monday. Ballack's ankle was still too swollen Sunday for a previously scheduled scan in London.
The federation said he should have have a full recovery.
Ballack, who has made 98 appearances for Germany, was injured in a tackle by Kevin-Prince Boateng, previously a Bundesliga player who is the half brother of Germany defender Jerome Boateng. Kevin-Prince Boateng has chosen to play for Ghana, the country of his father and one of Germany's World Cup opponents.
Germany's incomplete squad has been in Sicily since Friday. Seven players from Bayern Munich will join the only after Saturday's Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Germany opens its World Cup campaign against Australia and also plays Serbia and Ghana in its group.
The German football federation said Monday that the 33-year-old Chelsea midfielder had torn ligaments in his right ankle from a tackle during his club's 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth on Saturday. Ballack's ankle has been put in a cast and the federation said he won't be able to train for at least eight weeks.
Ballack flew to Germany late Sunday to be examined by national team and Bayern Munich doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt on Monday. Ballack's ankle was still too swollen Sunday for a previously scheduled scan in London.
The federation said he should have have a full recovery.
Ballack, who has made 98 appearances for Germany, was injured in a tackle by Kevin-Prince Boateng, previously a Bundesliga player who is the half brother of Germany defender Jerome Boateng. Kevin-Prince Boateng has chosen to play for Ghana, the country of his father and one of Germany's World Cup opponents.
Germany's incomplete squad has been in Sicily since Friday. Seven players from Bayern Munich will join the only after Saturday's Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Germany opens its World Cup campaign against Australia and also plays Serbia and Ghana in its group.
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