Ballack was the national team captain before an ankle injury prevented him from making the trip to South Africa and, since Philipp Lahm did an excellent job leading the team at the World Cup, Ballack's return as captain has been debated.

Germany coach Joachim Low last week announced Ballack would be restored as captain on the condition that he can prove his form and fitness to earn a recall.

However, doubts have arisen over whether Ballack will actually recapture his best form for Bayer Leverkusen after a long-term injury and Hoeness claims he has now missed the chance to retire with his head held high.

"I advised him (to retire before the World Cup) as a friend - I did not mean anything nasty," Hoeness told Bild.

"The fact is, if he had followed my advice, he would have spared himself a lot of grief.

"The situation has now changed. Back then, he would have retired from a strong position but after everything which has now happened, I can understand why he is continuing.

"You need strong nerves in sport and he has them."