Ballack: I am the Germany captain

Michael Ballack has warned Philipp Lahm, who deputised for him in the Germany armband at the FIFA World Cup™, that he has no intention of giving up the captaincy on a permanent basis.
The 33-year-old midfielder was ruled out of South Africa 2010 after suffering an ankle injury while playing for Chelsea against Portsmouth in last season's FA Cup final.
Bayern Munich fullback Lahm led the team to third place at the tournament, and made it clear he wants to remain in the role even when Ballack returns. But the former Chelsea man does not plan to step aside for the 26-year-old.




"This is no issue for me. I am the captain," said Ballack, who signed a two-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen last month and was officially unveiled by the club today.

"A player cannot request in what position he wants to play, and it is the same with the captaincy. One should respect this. There are hierarchies."
Lahm last week told the Bild newspaper: "It is clear I would like to retain the captaincy. The job is a lot of fun for me. Why should I then voluntarily give up the role?"
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