Ballack should return to captain Germany: Podolski

BERLIN (AFP) – Germany striker Lucas Podolski said on Saturday he sees no reason why Michael Ballack will not return to captain the national side when the Euro 2012 qualifiers begin next month.

Ballack’s ankle injury in May ruled the midfielder out of the World Cup and in his absence, Philipp Lahm took over the captaincy and has said he wants to continue to skipper the side.

Germany play Belgium in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Brussels on September 4 and Podolski says he can see 33-year-old Ballack being reappointed captain.

The issue has sparked hot debate here, especially as Germany finished third and played arguably the most attractive football of the World Cup under Lahm’s leadership.

“Michael Ballack has been part of the side for years and he is our captain,” Podolski told the Frankfurter Rundfunkt as Ballack has captained Germany since August 2004.

“There is no reason for him not to be captain in the future.

“What I think doesn’t really matter, it is a decision which must be taken by the coach.”

Podolski stand-point is somewhat surprising as he is not known for being friends with Ballack and the pair clashed on the pitch during a World Cup qualifier against Wales in April 2009.

Germany coach Joachim Loew is set to announce his squad for Euro 2012 qualifiers against Belgium on September 3 and Azerbaijan on September 7.

Loew has said he will decide who will captain the side at the start of September.