Philipp Lahm wants to stay on as Germany captain even if the injured Michael Ballack returns after the World Cup.

The 26-year-old Lahm is Germany's youngest ever World Cup captain after an ankle injury forced long-term leader Ballack to miss the tournament.

Ballack has been with the team in South Africa but left late Monday, two days before the team's semifinal meeting with Spain.

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff said Tuesday that there was no dispute between Lahm and Ballack and that the timing was a coincidence.

"Michael Ballack is still our captain, and Philipp Lahm is now our World Cup captain," Bierhoff said before the German team left its training camp near Pretoria to head to Durban for its semifinal.

Lahm told Tuesday's edition of German daily Bild there was no reason to give up the role voluntarily.

"It's clear that would like to keep the captain's armband - I really enjoy the role," the Bayern Munich defender said. "Why should I give up the job voluntarily?

"When you fulfill your role on the pitch and have it under control, as I do in my position, then you want more. You want more responsibility; you want to take care of the big picture. And that is the case with me now."

Asked whether the national team still needs Ballack, Bild reports that Lahm said: "It's not for me to say 'yes' or 'no' to that question."

Ballack arrived in South Africa to watch Germany beat Argentina 4-0 in the quarterfinals and had been expected to stay. The team said that Ballack left to continue therapy in Germany.

Bierhoff said the timing of Lahm's interview was unfortunate, because it coincided with the Ballack's departure.

"But there is no discord. We are pleased that Lahm has taken over the responsibility as captain. And what else can he say, except that he wants to remain captain?" Bierhoff said.

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