Ballack: No way back to World Cup

Germany captain Michael Ballack admits his World Cup dream is over, despite being approached by several doctors who claim they could cure him within a fortnight.

Ballack suffered serious ankle ligament damage in the FA Cup final just over a week ago and was ruled out of the World Cup by the Germany national team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, who said it would take up to eight weeks for him to fully recover.

In the meantime, several other doctors have claimed to have trialled ground-breaking treatments which could have Ballack back on his feet within two weeks and in time for Germany’s opening World Cup fixture at the very latest.

But Ballack is sticking with Muller-Wohlfahrt’s prognosis and knows he will not be making the trip to South Africa as a player.

“A few wonder-healers have contacted me, but I don’t believe in miracles,” he said on Germany’s ZDF television.

“The World Cup is forgotten.

“I have a fantastic doctor whom I trust wholeheartedly. It would be defying nature to treat a torn ligament differently – there is no chance.”

Nevertheless, Ballack has no doubts that he will be able reach the 100-cap milestone for the national team.

He is currently on 98 and was expecting to make 100 even before the World Cup by taking part in Germany’s upcoming friendly matches against Hungary and Bosnia, but his international career is not over after this injury setback.

“I will be back,” he said.