Germany captain Michael Ballack has been forced to pull out of the World Cup finals in South Africa due to the injury he suffered in the FA Cup final. Ballack was injured playing for Chelsea in the FA Cup Final after a tackle from Ghanaian Prince Boateng in the 35th minute. An examination in Munich discovered Ballack had torn his ligaments in his ankle. The German national team doctor said he will likely recover and be able to play football again, but not in time for the World Cup.
The injury means Germany will face Australia in their opening World Cup game on June 13 without their most important player. Ballack's departure from the side is another setback for Löw after goalkeeper Rene Adler was also ruled out last month due to injury.
In the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he scored in matches against the United States and South Korea during the knock-out rounds as Germany reached the final. However, he was booked for a tactical foul during the semi-final match against South Korea and was suspended for the final which Germany went on to lose 2–0 to Brazil.
In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he was unable to start in Germany's first game against Costa Rica due to a calf strain, but appeared in the following five matches. Germany was eliminated in the semi-finals, but they managed to clinch 3rd place in a match against Portugal.
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