Injured German captain Michael Ballack predicted on Friday that Germany would beat Argentina 3-1 in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final.

The 33-year-old midfielder, who was ruled out of the finals after injuring his right ankle in the FA Cup final in May, told Bild that he had no advice to give to the predominantly young side that has produced some electrifying football twice scoring four goals.…

The loss of Michael Ballack ahead of the World Cup has been a blessing in disguise for Germany, according to former captain Lothar Matthaus.

Ballack was set to take the captain’s armband in South Africa, but his World Cup dream died when he injured his ankle playing for Chelsea against Portsmouth in the FA Cup final at the end of May.

It was seen as a huge blow for German hopes in South Africa, but their young side has coped without him.…

Michael Ballack has returned to Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year contract. The 33-year-old, who is missing the World Cup through an injury picked up in the FA Cup final victory, was released by Chelsea at the end of last season.

The midfielder is returning to the Bundesliga and his old club, with whom he reached the Champions League final in 2002.…

Injured Germany captain Michael Ballack has backed his side to beat Ghana on Wednesday to reach the Round of 16 at the World Cup, team manager Oliver Bierhoff has revealed.

Having hammered Australia 4-0 in their opening Group D game, Germany slumped to a 1-0 defeat by Serbia last Saturday and must beat Ghana at Soccer City to reach the knockout phase.

An ankle injury in last month’s FA Cup final ruled Ballack out of the World Cup, but he has showed his faith in the squad by telling coach Joachim Loew he plans to visit the team only after they reach the knock-out phase.…

As soon as the news broke on Wednesday that Ballack, 33, would not get a new contract at Premier League champions Chelsea, the rumour mill went into overdrive.

A return to Jose Mourinho, who brought him to Chelsea, this time at Real Madrid? Back to Felix Magath, now at Schalke, under whom Ballack played at Bayern Munich until 2006? Wolfsburg, who are backed by VW and have an English coach in Steve McLaren?…

Chelsea have decided not to renew Michael Ballack’s contract, and so the German international has been released by the club.

While Chelsea have been locked in negotiations with Ballack throughout the season aimed at tying up a new deal, the Blues have now withdrawn their offer because of excessive wage demands.

Germany captain Ballack arrived on a free transfer from Bayern Munich in 2006 and will now be available for nothing again after he was refused a two-year deal by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy. A one-year contract with reduced terms was was turned down by the 33-year-old.…

Former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Monday urged current captain Michael Ballack to get over his World Cup injury heartbreak by focusing on the 2012 European Championship.

Ballack was ruled out of the tournament in South Africa after injuring his right ankle while playing for Chelsea against Portsmouth in the FA Cup final at the end of May.

“I hope he’ll put this difficult period behind him and quickly focus on Euro 2012,” said Klinsmann on the German football federation website.

“Replacing Michael is naturally difficult as he is the head of the team.”…

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has advised Michael Ballack to put aside his desire to return to the international fold after the World Cup and instead concentrate on salvaging his club career.

The German midfielder is currently on holiday in Miami recovering from an akle injury which ruled him out of this summer’s tournament in South Africa.

Ballack picked up the injury during Chelsea’s FA Cup final victory and it could yet prove to be his final game for the Stamford Bridge club. His contract is set to end before the start of the new campaign and it is far from certain whether he will be offered a new contract.

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