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 WembleyGermany captain Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup after injuring his ankle in Chelsea's FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth.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.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. 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. Bad news: Ballack lies injured after the challenge by Boateng The German FA said in a statement: 'National team captain Michael Ballack is out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. '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.'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.'The news will come as a massive blow to Germany coach Joachim Loew. Celebrations: Ballack joins Didier Drogba (left) in celebrating the FA Cup final win, despite picking up his ankle injuryBefore 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.'Michael is our captain and one of our leading players.'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.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.'Germany' opens their World Cup campaign against Australia and also play Serbia and Ghana in its group. 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

Source: Daily_Mail