Source: Daily_Mail
WORLD CUP 2010: Michael Ballack ruled out of finals with Germany after injury to Chelsea star
High challenge: Boateng catches Ballack's ankle with a late tackle at Wembley[LNB]Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup after injuring his ankle in Chelsea's FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth.[LNB]The midfielder was felled by a nasty first-half challenge from Kevin-Prince Boateng on the way to the Blues' 1-0 win at Wembley on Saturday.[LNB]Ballack flew to Germany late Sunday to have a scan on his injured right ankle, but had to wait until Monday for further examination because of the extent of the swelling. [LNB]Unfortunately for the 33-year-old, the MRI in Munich showed ligament damage to his right ankle, which is expected to be out of action for eight weeks.[LNB] Bad news: Ballack lies injured after the challenge by Boateng [LNB]The German FA said in a statement: 'National team captain Michael Ballack is out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. [LNB]'A tear of the medial collateral ligament of the right ankle wasfound. The right ankle is immobilised in a plaster. He will have towear a special shoe for two weeks.[LNB]'After the diagnosis of national team doctor Hans-WilhelmMuller-Wohlfahrt today, a complete healing of the injury is expected.Ballack's return to training is possible at the earliest in eightweeks.'[LNB]The news will come as a massive blow to Germany coach Joachim Loew.[LNB] Celebrations: Ballack joins Didier Drogba (left) in celebrating the FA Cup final win, despite picking up his ankle injury[LNB]Before the diagnosis was known, he said: 'When we found out aboutthe injury on Saturday we were all very concerned. We had no accuratepicture of what had happened.[LNB]'Michael is our captain and one of our leading players.'[LNB]Boateng's challenge sparked a furious reaction in Germany, where themidfielder started his professional career at Hertha Berlin and playedfor the country's Under 21 side before pledging his internationalcareer to Ghana this year.[LNB]After the Cup final, Ballack said: 'I don't want to blame the Portsmouthplayers, but if it gets to the point when players are getting badinjuries then it has to be stopped.'[LNB]Germany' opens their World Cup campaign against Australia and also play Serbia and Ghana in its group.[LNB] Carlo Ancelotti wants to boss Chelsea for next 10 years - and Italian insists Frank Lampard is staying with himPICTURE SPECIAL: Chelsea show off their pots as they celebrate Double Chelsea's final flourish as Avram Grant suffers double dose of penalty painCHELSEA FC
