09:09 | Munich, May 17 (ANDINA).
Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa because of an ankle injury, the German football federation (DFB) confirmed Monday.
The Chelsea midfielder was hurt after a late tackle from Kevin Prince-Boateng during his side's 1-0 FA Cup win Saturday over Portsmouth and limped off before half-time, DPA reports.
Amagnetic resonance imaging scan Monday at the clinic of DFB doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt in Munich revealed that the 33- year-old has torn ligaments in his right ankle and, although he will make a full recovery, won't be able to return to training for at least eight weeks.
"The tomography showed a rupture of the cruciate ligament and a partial rupture of the syndesmosis at his right ankle, which will be immobilized in a cast," said the DFB in a statement.
Ballack, who has won 98 caps for Germany and was looking forward to a fourth and probably last finals appearance, will have to wear the cast on his ankle for around four weeks, followed by two weeks with a specially designed shoe.
The news stunned Germany coach Joachim Loew, who on May 7 named Ballack in his preliminary World Cup squad.
"We were shocked, no question," said Loew from Germany's training camp in Sciacca, Sicily. "However, we can still have a good tournament."
Loew revealed that despite the injury Ballack wanted to visit the Germany squad in Sicily although the German coach refused to discuss who would take over as team captain.
Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose is currently Ballack's deputy.
Boateng was booked for his challenge on Ballack, who tried to play on but was replaced by Juliano Belletti just before the interval.
Ballack was due to have had a scan Sunday but heavy swelling meant it had to be postponed until Monday. The player criticised Boateng after his side's FA Cup win for failing to apologise for the crude tackle.
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Video: Best of Germany's Michael Ballack. Source: YouTube
Publicado: 17/5/2010