Michael Ballack will continue to captain Germany when he returns to the national side, coach Joachim Loew confirmed on Wednesday.
Philipp Lahm, who captained the side at the World Cup in South Africa, will be vice-captain.
Loew’s decision ends speculation since the World Cup on Ballack’s position in the side.
The 33-year-old midfielder has captained Germany since after Euro 2004 but missed the World Cup through injury.
Ballack, who moved from Chelsea to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, has only just returned from his ankle ligament injury.
He was not chosen by Loew in his squad for Euro 2012 qualifiers against Belgium on Friday and Azerbaijan four days later.
Loew said Ballack would be considered again when he returns to full form and fitness. Lahm will again lead the side for the start of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, with midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger his deputy.
