Ballack set for Leverkusen exit but won’t retire

Michael Ballack has hinted that he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season but does not intend to retire.



"I signed for two years and it was clear for both parties that it was for this period," the 35-year-old said in a interview with Sky Sport News broadcast on Friday.



"Afterwards, I wanted to do something different."



He added: "I don't want to stop completely. It was never a question of that. I still have six months to think about the situation."



The former Germany captain has previously expressed a desire to "play for one, two or three more years at a high level" if his fitness allows.



Leverkusen finished the first half of the Bundesliga season in sixth place, eight points outside the top three and 11 points below leaders Bayern Munich, and were also eliminated in the first round of the German Cup.



Nonetheless, Ballack helped steer Leverkusen into the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will tackle the great Barcelona next month.