Ballack injured in FA Cup final ahead of World Cup

Posted Sunday, May 16, 2010 by BBC.com

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack's FA Cup final appearance was cut short as the Germany captain limped out of the Wembley showpiece against Portsmouth.

Less than a month before the World Cup begins the 33-year-old was upended by a late tackle from Kevin-Prince Boateng, who was booked on 35 minutes.

He played on with the ankle injury but had to be replaced as Chelsea won 1-0.

"We don't think it's a bad injury," said Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti. "We hope he'll be ready for the World Cup."

Germany open their World Cup campaign against Australia on 13 June.

Ballack, who has won 98 international caps, was named in Germany's preliminary squad on 7 May.

He is out of contract at Chelsea at the end of the season and could feasibly have played his last game for the club.

Ballack was replaced by Juliano Belletti, who gave away a penalty with the score at 0-0 early in the second half.

But Boateng missed the spot-kick and Chelsea went on to win the match courtesy of a Didier Drogba free-kick, with Frank Lampard also missing a penalty in the closing stages.

Chelsea's win secured the club's first FA Cup and League Double.

Ballack injured in FA Cup final ahead of World Cup