Germany captain Ballack sustained ligament damage to his right ankle in Saturday's FA Cup final after a heavy challenge from Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng and an MRI in Munich this morning confirmed he would not recover in time to take part in South Africa.

Voller, who led the national team from 2000 to 2004, said in the Bild newspaper: "It's brutal, terrible for Michael.

"He was full of optimism and wanted to play a good World Cup.

"There are players in the team who can't be replaced and Michael Ballack is certainly one of them ."

Wolfsburg general manager and former Germany international Dieter Hoeness feels Ballack's influence will also be missed in the dressing room.

He said: "It is a setback, no question.

"Michael Ballack is an excellent player but, above all, he is a leader.

"I do not see many alternatives, Michael Ballack is very difficult to replace."

Former Germany midfielder Olaf Thon added: "After losing Michael Ballack, we have lost the head of the team.

"For him personally, it is a real shame because South Africa would have been his last World Cup as a player."

Former Germany coach Berti Vogts hopes Ballack's absence will allow other players - most notably Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger - to take on a more important role.

Vogts said: "His absence could prompt other players to give more.

"Bastian, for example, is in superb form and I think he can be one of the leading personalities at this World Cup."