Bayern Munich’s Philipp Lahm denies rift with Bayer Leverkusen's Michael Ballack over Germany captaincy

World Cup 2010 skipper insists there are no problems...

By Robin Bairner

20 Aug 2010 13:17:00

Philipp Lahm has declared that he has “absolutely no problem” with Michael Ballack, despite the intense media scrutiny over which man will take the Germany captaincy going into the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Injury forced Ballack out of the World Cup this summer, but after Lahm skippered die Mannschaft to the semi-final, in which they were narrowly beaten by Spain after extra-time, there has been widespread speculation that the full-back may get the nod on a permanent basis.

Lahm has therefore been forced to come out in the media to assure fans that there is no on-going feud between himself and Bayer Leverkusen veteran Ballack.

The Bayern Munich star, who has indicated his desire to retain the captaincy of the side, told German Eurosport: “For me, there is absolutely no problem. Neither of us have said anything serious. The next time I see Michael, everything will be normal.”

Germany’s European Championship campaign begins in September, by which time coach Joachim Loew will have had to have made a decision.