Michael Ballack's Ankle Injury - - A Great Setback for Germany's FIFA World Cup Bid in South Africa

Germany’s World Cup bid sustained a major blow after it was revealed Monday that captain and Chelsea star Michael Ballack has been ruled out at this summer’s event in South Africa due to an ankle injury.

Germany will have to make do without the services of experienced Ballack, who sustained the injury in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Portsmouth following a reckless challenge by Kevin Prince-Boateng.

The reckless tackle of Boateng, who is in Ghana’s team for the summer showpiece in South Africa, occurred in the 35th minute of Chelsea’s Cup final victory at Wembley, forcing Ballack to leave the pitch limping.

A statement from the German FA indicated that the 33-year-old Chelsea midfielder sustained damages to the medial collateral ligament of his right ankle as revealed by an MRI scan in Munich Monday.

The injury forces Ballack out of action for two months. He will wear a cast for the next two weeks before he can start his recovery process.

Ballack was preparing to feature in his third World Cup for Germany prior to the injury. He has scored 42 goals in 98 appearances for his country.

Meanwhile, Boateng, a former Tottenham player, was born in Germany but later chose to play for Ghana, his father’s country of birth

He also previously represented German youth teams.

In South Africa, Boateng could be part of the Ghana team that will collide against Germany in Group D at the finals in the World Cup.

Ironically, Kevin Prince could face his brother, Jerome Boateng, who is likely to make Germany’s 23-man team.

Germany opens its Cup bid against Australia on June 13 before meeting Serbia and then Ghana.