Ankle Injury Puts Germany Captain Michael Ballack Out Of World Cup

Germany captain Michael Ballack has been ruled out of this summer’s World Cup after suffering an ankle injury in Saturday’s FA Cup final.

The Chelsea midfielder had to leave the match at Wembley Stadium in the first half with what looked like a serious ankle injury. Scans have subsequently shown the 33-year-old has suffered ligament damage and will be out for two months.

The German FA announced the news in a statement on the association’s web site:

German captain Michael Ballack will not be able to play at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This is the result of an MRI scan performed this Monday in Munich.

The tomogram showed a torn interior ligament and a partial rupture of the syndesmosis ligament of his right ankle, which for the time being will have to be immobilized and put in a cast. Ballack will then wear a specially designed shoe for two weeks. German team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt said, that according to today’s diagnosis, Ballack can look forward to a complete recovery, but that a minimum eight weeks will be required before the German skipper may consider returning to regular training.

Ballack was hurt on a challenge by Portsmouth’s Kevin-Prince Boateng. He hobbled from the Wembley pitch and was almost immediately subbed-off by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The ankle’s swelling prevented an MRI from being done on Sunday. Monday morning, however, the scan revealed the damage, ruling Ballack out of what was likely to be his final World Cup.

German FA President Theo Zwanzinger had the following to say about the injury to his 98-time capped star:

“I feel devastated, it’s infinetely sad that Michael Ballack has to cancel his World Cup because of such foul play. Over the years, his contribution for German football cannot be overemphasized, he’d deserve an appearance in South Africa. Two more games and he’d have celebrated his 100th game for Germany. We keep in close contact with him, and will support him, wherever we can. Resilience is needed now, our team has to show defiance now. The team owes it to their captain to perform well at the World Cup. We have a chance, if we support each other now.”

After the FA Cup final, Ballack expressed similar concerns about the tackle which injured his ankle:

“It wasn’t a good tackle,” Ballack said. “I’ve seen it on TV and it didn’t look a good tackle and when I was on the pitch, I knew it would be really difficult to carry on. I tried, but it wasn’t possible. I’ve had a few injuries and if you can’t carry on, that’s always a bad sign. Sometimes it’s bruising or sometimes it’s a nerve that stops you.

Also through the German FA, general secretary Wolfsgang Niersbach released the following thoughts:

“I’ve known Michael Ballack for more than a decade now, and I felt so good about the World Cup. The tournament would have been the climax of his career. Him being forced to cancel due to injury is such a shame. He is our captain, our leader, a major personality that we would have needed badly. It’s a severe blow for him, but he has overcome setbacks in his career before. Michael Ballack is such a standout-player, you can not replace him adequately. Joachim Löw has some young players on the roster, that derserve our support.”

Germany coach Joachim Löw, on Sunday, called Ballack “irreplaceable” while hoping for a good diagnosis from the eventual scan. With Ballack now confirmed out for the World Cup, Löw will need to identify another central midfield option to start with Stuttgart’s Sami Khedira. Bayern Munich’s Toni Kroos is one option, as is playing Bastian Schweinsteiger in the more central role he occupied this season at Bayern.