FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Former Germany captain Michael Ballack says he had already decided to quit the national team when coach Joachim Loew announced that the midfielder had no future with the squad.
Ballack says he wanted to announce the decision himself.
He adds that he had a deal with the German soccer federation to make the announcement during the offseason after deciding in May he wanted to quit.
Loew announced Thursday that Ballack was no longer part of his plans. A day later Ballack accused Loew of hypocrisy and called the offer of a farewell match a farce.
