Ballack's Germany Career Over, Loew Says

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack's international career is over, the national football federation said Thursday after talks between coach Joachim Loew with the ex-Chelsea midfielder.

"Michael Ballack will no longer be a part of the German national squad," the DfB said in a statement.

"I have discussed things openly with Michael Ballack, most recently in our meeting in March 2011 and in numerous phone calls," Loew said.

"With the Euro 2012 season about to start the time has come for me to make a clear statement," Loew said.

Ballack, 34, has not played for Germany since March 2010 and in his absence, the Germans came third in the World Cup in South Africa last year and have opened a ten-point lead at the top of their Euro 2012 qualification group.