No place for Ballack in Germany squad

Michael Ballack’s international exile continues after he was left out of the 23-man Germany squad announced yesterday for the friendly against Uruguay and next month’s Euro 2012 qualifiers.

The 34-year-old has not played for Germany since March 2010 after suffering back-to-back injuries last year and he has struggled to get a regular place in the Bayer Leverkusen team since making his return in January.

He has been left out of the Germany squad to face Uruguay on May 29 in Sinsheim before the Group A leaders take on Austria, on June 3, and Azerbaijan, on June 7, in Vienna and Baku respectively in Euro 2012 qualifiers.

“Michael has not been nominated for the next three internationals,” confirmed coach Joachim Loew in a statement.

“The decision has been discussed with him.

“In the past few weeks, we have been in constant contact and we met in person at the end of March.”

According to reports in the German media, ex-captain Ballack is set to win his 99th – and final – cap against Brazil in a friendly in Stuttgart on August 10, which would double as his farewell.