Germany midfielder Simon Rolfes has been ruled out of the World Cup by a knee injury.
Rolfes, 28, has not played for his club, Bayer Leverkusen, since having an operation in January.
He told the DFB website: “I am very pleased with the healing process but it is now definitively clear that the World Cup finals for me make no sense. My plan is now to look to start the new Bundesliga season fully fit.
“Missing out on the World Cup is not easy. It only remains for me now to wish the team every success in South Africa.”
Rolfes, who has played 21 times for Germany, last represented his country in the 1-0 win over Russia in October.
Germany coach Joachim Low said: “The decision by Simon is only correct for the best possible recovery after surgery. We regret his absence, and hope he gets fit quickly.”
