Ballack stayed in the team's hotel and is getting treatment, German soccer federation spokesman Harald Stenger said at the German team's practice ground.
It's purely a precautionary measure," Stenger said.
Stenger said Ballack stayed behind because the practice session would involve sprints and the team did not want to take any risks.
The German team got back together Monday in
The afternoon practice session was the first for the team in
Germany kicks off the World Cup on Friday in Munich against Costa Rica. Ballack missed five days of practice with a left ankle sprain and did not play in
He played in the 2-2 draw against
(Source: CNN) Germany captain Michael Ballack missed Monday's practice session because of a strain in his right calf.
