体坛英语新闻：Loew quits veteran Ballack from national squad

BERLIN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- After a long back and forth, German international veteran midfielder Michael Ballack will no longer belong to the national squad, head coach Joachim Loew confirmed on Thursday.

This is the result after talks between head coach Joachim Loew and long-term team captain Michael Ballack.

"The past few month have shown that many young players are brought into focus with good prospects. I have discussed this issue with Michael in all candor. The time has come to take a clear position," Joachim Loew said.

The 35-year-old Michael Ballack joined the German national team in 1999 to make 98 official matches scoring 42 goals until 2010.

"Michael was for a decade a leader and an important player in the national team and has an enormous stake in the tremendous success at the World Cup 2002. He shaped an era and he always played for the team I observed at World cup 2006 and the Euro 2008, " added Loew.

Due to a partial demolition of the ankle following a challenge from midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng on 15th May 2010 in the English Cup final between Chelsea and Portsmouth, Ballack lost his position in the squad to miss the Wolrd Cup 2010.

It is unknown if Ballack will confirm his farewell game against Brazil on August 10.