Ballack remains German captain

Oct 31, 2008 - 4:54 PM FRANKFURT, Germany (Ticker) -- Michael Ballack will remain as Germany's captain after holding clear-the-air talks with coach Joachim Loew.

Ballack and Loew met for talks Thursday night in the wake of comments made by the 32-year-old midfielder in a recent newspaper interview.

"I am delighted that an excellent national team player who has played a major part in our success over the last few years is still available for selection and will continue to help us in achieving the goals we have set on the way to the 2010 World Cup," Loew said in a statement Friday. "Michael Ballack remains my captain."

Ballack issued an apology to Loew last Saturday in which he admitted criticizing the coach's treatment of Torsten Frings and Kevin Kuranyi had been a mistake.

The Chelsea star had apologized for his comments via a press release, but doubts still surrounded his future on the national team when Loew reserved judgment until after the pair met.

He said a decision over whether Ballack would remain his captain hinged on "how the discussion goes."

But following Thursday's meeting in the German Football Association (DFB) headquarters, the issues between Ballack and Loew apparently have been settled.

"It was important that we were very open with this discussion," Loew said. "Even as captain, he must understand he has to abide by the rules.

"He knows he can talk to me about anything, keeping it internal. But all sporting and personnel decisions are made by the coaching team, and I have made this unmistakably clear to Michael."

Ballack received permission from Chelsea to fly in and out of Germany on Thursday for the much-anticipated face-to-face talks.

After the meeting, Ballack reiterated it had been a mistake to criticize Loew.

"I realized it was not right to go public and I also regret the impression was created that I wanted to criticize Joachim Loew in his position as Germany coach personally," Ballack said. "I have apologized to Joachim Loew for that. He is the Germany coach and he takes the decisions and we all have to accept that.

"I have no doubt that, after this discussion with Joachim Loew, we can realize our goals with the national team in a good atmosphere."