German midfielder Michael Ballack missed the World Cup after suffering an ankle injury — on a foul by Portsmouth’s Kevin-Prince Boateng — during Chelsea’s FA Cupwin less than a month before the South Africa tournament but was told by Germany coach Joachim Loew he would again be national team captain upon returning to form. But now Ballack,who joined Bayer Leverkusen in the offseason, is facing a six-week break with a hairline fracture in the tibia in his left leg.
The 33-year-old came off after playing for 30 minutes in the2-2 draw at Hannover on Saturday after being kicked by Sergio Pinto.
“I’m sorry for Michael that he has to put up with a new health setback,” Germanycoach Joachim Loew said. “Of course I wish him a quick and good recovery.”