Michael ballack - Christina Cherry

He is one of the tragic figures in German football history – of all with the shirt number 13. As one of the few kickers of his generation, Ballack embodied absolute world class and dared to jump to an international top club. Nevertheless, he was ultimately denied the crowning of his career – an international title. He stood alone twice in the National jersey in a final: at the 2002 World Cup and the 2008 European Championship. Both games were lost. A dispute with national coach Joachim Löw also ensured that Ballack ultimately remained at 98 international matches and could no longer break the magical 100 mark. The importance of Ballack for the national team can be seen from the fact that he led the team a total of 55 times as captain. Only honorary captain Lothar Matthäus received this honor more often in his career. Ballack, as the "Capitano" appointed by trainer Jürgen Klinsmann, also played one at the 2006 World Cup in his own country, the so-called "summer fairy tale" important Role. With 98 caps, he is in 11th place in the ranking of the German national team.

Table of contents – you can find it here

The beginnings are in Karl-Marx-Stadt

Ballack is one of those kickers who received their training as a footballer in the GDR, but subsequently completed their entire career in reunited Germany. So the roots of Ballack’s career lie at BSG Motor Karl-Marx-Stadt. He later played for the renamed Chemnitzer FC in the second Bundesliga and the Regionalliga Nordost. There he was discovered by Otto Rehhagel and piloted to 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Ballack developed into a good Bundesliga player in Kaiserslautern, but his big time began when he moved to Bayer Leverkusen in 1999. A few months earlier, Chemnitz also made his debut in DFB jersey given.

2002 was Ballack’s fateful year

With Ballack Leverkusen made the leap into the international top. The year 2002 turned out to be a huge success, but also a big disappointment. in the Team jersey Ballack had chances for the triple until the end, but then had to be satisfied with the runner-up title and a second place in the Champions League and in the DFB Cup. At the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, he was – together with goalkeeper Oliver Kahn – by far the best player on his team and led the DFB team to the final. There, however, he was suspended because in the semifinals he could only iron out a mistake by his teammates with the help of a yellow card. Ballack had to stand by and watch the World Cup final being lost.

Michael Ballack celebrates his 39th goal on June 21, 2002 against the USA at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea / Japan. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND

With Chelsea London he was also denied the coronation

The midfielder then moved to Bayern. There he won in his four Three times the double of the championship and trophy for years, but could not advance internationally. Consequently, he let his contract expire and moved to Chelsea. In London, he quickly established himself as a high-performance midfield player. Tragically, however, he was also denied an international title in the British capital. 2008 lost you do that Final against Manchester United only on penalties. A year later, Chelsea failed in the semi-finals at FC Barcelona because referee Övrebö denied the team several penalties. Ballack then ended his career in Leverkusen, but was no longer really happy there.

When did Michael Ballack play?

societies
years	society	Games (goals)
1994-1996	Chemnitz FC amateurs	18 (5)
1995-1997	Chemnitz FC	49 (10)
1997-1998	1. FC Kaiserslautern amateurs	17 (8)
1997 – 1999	1. FC Kaiserslautern	46 (4)
1999 – 2002	Bayer 04 Leverkusen	79 (27)
2002 – 2006	FC Bayern Munich	107 (44)
2006 – 2010	Chelsea FC	105 (17)
2010 – 2012	Bayer 04 Leverkusen	35 (2)
National team
1996-1998	Germany U-21	19 (7)
1999 – 2010	Germany	98 (42)

What is Michael Ballack doing today?

TV expert and advertising medium

After the end of his active career, Ballack continued to work as an advertising medium for various companies. He also works as a football expert for the American sports broadcaster ESPN. In this role, he accompanied the 2012 European Championship and the German team’s title win at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He also uses his free time to get socially involved. Ballack is one of the most dedicated supporters of stroke aid.