Chelsea star Michael Ballack's shock as tributes pour in to German keeper Robert Enke

Michael Ballack has spoken of his shock at the death of Robert Enke, as tributes to the German goalkeeper poured in last night.

Hanover star Enke threw himself in front of an express train after leaving a suicide note on Tuesday night. His widow Teresa revealed last night that he had been suffering from depression since 2003.

Germany have called off Saturday’s planned friendly with Chile in Cologne.

Ballack, the German captain, attended a church service in Hanover last night - broadcast live on national TV – with coach Joachim Low and other officials.

German bishop Margot Kaessmann ended her address in English, saying: “You'll never walk alone.”

Chelsea star Ballack said Enke's death had left him “completely stunned - words fail me.”

Low said: "I am finding it hard to describe my feelings. I am totally shocked, totally empty. All my feelings go out to his wife and his family.

“Robert was not only an excellent player, but also a great person.

“For him fairness was always an important part of life. His death is an immense loss. We will miss him, as a first class sportsman and an extraordinary man.”

German team manager Oliver Bierhoff broke down in tears after adding that Enke's depression had gone unnoticed by team mates and officials.

Enke and his wife had an eight-month-old daughter Leila, who the couple adopted in May.

They lost their biological daughter Lara in 2006 when she died of a rare heart condition at the age of two.

His widow said Enke kept his depression secret because he feared losing his adopted daughter.

David Jarolim, the Hamburg captain, added: “I can hardly breathe because I'm so upset. This is a real tragedy, I can hardly believe it. First his little daughter dies and then this.”

Enke's doctor Valentin Marsker said the player “suffered from depression and fear of failure.”

Enke, who won eight caps, was battling Bayer Leverkusen’s Rene Adler to be the German No.1 at the World Cup in South Africa.

He started his career at Carl Zeiss Jena and had spells at Borussia Moenchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce and Tenerife before joining Hanover in 2004.

He made just one La Liga appearance for Barcelona and when he lost his place there he started developing anxieties, his doctor said.

Enke also played just one game for Fenerbahace, leaving after fans pelted him with bottles and fireworks following a poor display.