Ballack calls it a day

Michael Ballack has ended his playing career at the age of 36 after being released by Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.

Former Germany captain Ballack, who also played for Bayern Munich and Chelsea, was believed to be in talks with clubs in Australia about extending his career there, but he announced today that his appearance in a Leverkusen shirt on May 5 this year was his last.