Captain Michael Ballack was left out of Germany's squad for the World Cup opener against Costa Rica on Friday through injury despite his earlier confirmation that he was ready for the game. Ballack picked-up a calf injury during Germany's friendly with Colombia on June second and it was understood he would be out of Munich's clash. But Friday's late edition of German paper Bild quoted Ballack as saying that he became ready for the anticipated encounter. "I have undergone intensive treatment and am feeling great again with no pain at all. I want to play," he said. On Thursday, Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann said that the 29-year-old playmaker is unlikely to captain his side against Costa Rica. "I am afraid it looks like he won't make it in time," FIFA's World Cup official website quoted Klinsmann as saying. "We would have loved to have Michael on board for the opening game. "He is our leader, our captain, but the most important thing for us is that he recovers as soon as possible. We hope to have him available for our second match." Germany also play Ecuador and Poland in Group A.