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Bierhoff: The time for a Ballack farewell game has gone
Oct 14, 2012 12:20:00 PM
The former striker believes that there is no space in the international calendar available for die Nationalelf's former captain to be honoured
Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff has rejected calls to stage a farewell friendly for the recently retired Michael Ballack.The 36-year-old hung up his boots after a stellar career in which he picked up 98 caps for die Nationalmannschaft, scoring 42 goals, and helped the team to reach the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008 finals.
The midfielder's club career saw him turn out for Kaiserslautern, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, winning four Bundesliga titles and a Premier League trophy, as well as numerous cups.
Ballack was offered two international matches in 2011, to take his tally to 100 caps, one of them to be against Brazil, but at the time, the midfielder vehemently refused the offer, after being ousted from the squad following the 2010 World Cup.
And former Germany forward Bierhoff believes that Ballack has now missed his opportunity.
"I personally believe that the time for a farewell match is over," the 44-year-old was quoted as saying by Express.de.
"First, we have few available dates [in the calendar]. So, I see no chance."
Germany take on Sweden in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
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