Kevin-Prince Boateng has claimed he received messages of gratitude from several Germany internationals after his foul ruled Michael Ballack out of the 2010 World Cup.
Ballack, then the Germany captain, suffered ankle ligament damage after he was fouled by Boateng during Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Portsmouth in the FA Cup final in May 2010.
Boateng said at the time of the incident that he had apologised several times, but Ballack's agent claimed it was "clearly a premeditated foul" and suggested legal action was possible.
The former Ghana international, who was born in Berlin and began his career with Hertha, maintains there was no intent but has claimed in his forthcoming autobiography that some members of the German national team told him they were pleased the Chelsea midfielder would not be travelling to South Africa.
"The irony of it all," AC Milan midfielder Boateng wrote, in an excerpt from the book published by the Bild newspaper. "I received several messages from Germany internationals in which the tone was: 'It's good that he is not part of it.' Apparently there were a few in the Germany camp who, on the quiet, were happy that Ballack was not there.
"His standing in the team wasn't all that good. Nobody was happy that he sustained an injury, least of all me, but many believed being without Ballack was the better option."
However, many Germany supporters were unhappy after seeing the nation's captain ruled out, and Boateng said in an accompanying interview with Sport Bild magazine he received "several letters" containing death threats.
Boateng's father, Prince, has previously said his son had personal issues with Ballack dating back to an on-field argument during a game between Hertha and Bayern Munich, and the pair have never held clear-the-air talks.
"You maybe sit down with someone who is a friend or with a person who is important to you," the 28-year-old said. "Ballack is not important to me; I am not important to Ballack."