Ballack slams Germany coach Loew, says no to farewell game

Jun 17, 2011, 22:10 GMT

Berlin - Former Germany captain Michael Ballack on Friday slammed Germany coach Joachim Loew and turned down an offer to play a farewell match for the national team.

Loew said in a statement issued on Thursday by the nation's football federation DFB that younger players have taken over, but that Ballack was invited to play one last game on August 10 against Brazil as a farewell match.

'I had the impression in our talks that Michael understands our point of view. An honest and clear decision is now appropriate, in the interest of everyone,' Loew said in the statement.

Ballack, however, on Friday reacted angrily to Loew's statement and issued a response through his agent Michael Becker.

'If the impression is created that I and my role as captain of the German national team were treated honestly, that is simply hypocritical,' Ballack said in the statement.

Ballack seems offended and described the offer for him to play a pre-arranged friendly as a farewell match as a farce.

'I know that I kind of owe it to my fans to play in the game against Brazil, but I simply cannot accept this 'offer''.

The DFB general secretary Wolfgang Niersbach said it was a pity that Ballack reacted in such a way. 'Since the end of March the national team coach has been in constant contact with Michael and spoken to him in all honesty about his situation. He deserved that.

'Everybody, especially Loew, were very honest about the offer of a farewell match.'

Loew is said to have told Ballack at the end of March that he no longer needed him for the national team. A meeting to discuss the way forward failed to materialize because of Ballack, the DFB said.

The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ballack made his Germany debut in 1999 and scored 42 goals in 98 matches. His last game was in March 2010 as he missed the World Cup due to an ankle injury and was not recalled by Loew this year after overcoming another injury.

Also on Friday paying great Franz Beckenbauer advised Ballack to take up the offer of playing against Brazil.

Beckenbauer told Bild newspaper that every player's international career had to end at some point.

'Michael Ballack does in any case deserve a dignified farewell. I can only recommend he takes up the offer to say farewell with a great game against Brazil,' he said.

Read more about Ballack