BERLIN: Germany Six out of ten Germans think Philipp Lahm should keep the captain`s armband for Germany`s national side, rather than see Michael Ballack regain the captaincy.

German sports agency SID, an AFP subsidiary, authorised a poll which saw 60.3 percent of those surveyed say Bayern Munich defender Lahm should remain captain having led Germany to third at the World Cup.

Only 26.2 percent of those polled thought Ballack, who missed the 2010 World Cup with an ankle injury, should be made captain for Germany`s first Euro 2012 qualifier against Belgium in Brussels on September 3.

According to the survey, Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is the best player in the team after winning 20.9 percent of the vote, ahead of Thomas Mueller (11.9) and Lahm (13.4).

Ballack, back in the Bundesliga this season after four years at Chelsea, was voted fourth with 10.4 percent.

BDST: 1523HRS, August 19, 2010