BERLIN, Oct 14: Retired ex-Germany captain Michael Ballack has said he is still hoping to play in a farewell game, but team manager Oliver Bierhoff says there is little chance of the national squad being involved.

Former Chelsea star Ballack, who turned 36 in September, retired from professional football at the start of the month after his two-year contract at Bayer Leverkusen expired having made 98 appearances for Germany.

Ballack turned down an offer by the German Football Federation (DFB) to make his final appearance in the friendly victory over Brazil in August 2011, but the midfielder says he still wants a farewell match.

“I would hope so. Of course, I would like to say goodbye to the fans,” Ballack, who spent four years with Chelsea, told Cologne newspaper Express when asked if he wanted a farewell match.—AFP