Michael Ballack has spoken for the first time about his collapsed move to the A-League.

Ballack's interest in a switch to new side Western Sydney Wanderers fell through, the German legend saying in the end he had to think about his family.

"It was my decision to stop my career," Ballack told Fox Sports' Daniel Garb.

"I was 35 last year and had a few options.

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"I had thoughts to carry on but I decided to stop playing, I had a family."

So how close did the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea midfielder come to playing on our shores?

It (Australia) was an option," Ballack said.

"There were a few interviews but nothing too serious in the end."

Ballack was in London with fellow great Zinedine Zidane ahead of the all-German Champions League final.

Zidane said it was great to see the effect former teammate Alessandro Del Piero has had on Aussie football in his first season in the country.

"It’s good to see Del Piero in Australia," Zidane said.

"He is communicating the love of football to Australians which to me is a very important thing."