Photo Gallery Ballack's Ballad
Michael Ballack has been captain of the German national team since 2004. He lead Germany in the EURO 2008 championship, here in a preliminary round match against Austria.
Ballack is still captain, but trainer Joachim Löw has paired him in recent weeks with different teammates. Ballack's friend Torsten Frings never entered the World Cup qualifier against Wales.
Joachim Löw took over as trainer when Jürgen Klinsmann resigned after the 2006 World Cup. Löw has received credit for Germany's successful run in the EURO 2008 tournament.
Löw has decided in recent weeks that the national team needs a shake-up and has announced an open competition for spots in the playing rotation.
Torsten Frings and Michael Ballack are not happy with the leadership of trainer Joachim Löw (center). And they haven't been shy about telling the German press about it.
Defensive midfielder Torsten Frings has seemingly fallen out of his coach's favor. After sitting on the bench for an entire match against Wales, Frings demanded more loyalty and respect from Löw.
Frings' benching also upset Ballack, who aired his discontent in a surprise interview with a national German newspaper. Löw has requested a face-to-face meeting with his captain.
Whether the German team can regain its camraderie before the 2010 World Cup remains to be seen.
