Germany head coach Joachim Loew has moved to diffuse the captaincy situation ahead of his side’s World Cup semi-final against Spain on Wednesday night.
Bayern Munich full back Philipp Lahm was awarded the armband on the eve of the World Cup after former Chelsea star Michael Ballack was ruled out of the tournament through injury.
Ballack, who recently completed a return to Bayer Leverkusen, has declared that he wants to continue playing with Germany until Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland.
Lahm is adamant that he wants to continue in the role, but Loew insists the situation is not a distraction.
“[Lahm] spoke honestly about what he thinks,†he said. “He has been enjoying the added responsibility and he has done his job here in an exemplary fashion.
“Philipp said he would like to continue but he also said he knows it is up to the coach to decide after the World Cup.â€
