Michael Ballack (born September 26, 1976 in Görlitz, then East Germany) is a German football player. He plays in central midfield for Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga as well as in the German national team, which he has captained since 2004. Ballack was transferred to Bayern Munich from Bayer Leverkusen on July 1, 2002, for an undisclosed amount. Before that, he played for Kaiserslautern.
Ballack shone at the 2002 World Cup, in which he scored three goals, including the lone goals in the quarterfinal win over the United States and, famously, in the semifinal win over South Korea, just after picking up a third booking, which meant he would miss the Final. Without him, Germany lost 2-0 against Brazil. Ballack also played at Euro 2000 and Euro 2004.
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Ballack is known for being a versatile and well-conditioned player, equally at home in attack and defence, able to play in almost any position in the midfield. He made his name as an attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, but Bayern Munich have recently employed him in a deeper role, where he has been able to direct play. He is regarded as one of the most lethal headers in the world but is equally competent with his powerful left and right feet. These attributes have earned him the German player of the year award on three occasions (2002, 2003, 2005), a feat surpassed only by German legend Franz Beckenbauer, who won the award four times. Accordingly, many experts consider him the most complete footballer in the world today. As of 2005, he is one of the prime German sports icons and the captain of the German national team that is seeking World Cup glory on its home soil.
Reports suggest that a move may be on the cards for Ballack, possibly to Real Madrid. A new contract at his club Bayern Munich, hasn't yet been agreed, especially after they withdrew their contract extension.
Portrait
- Date of Birth: September 26, 1976
- Place of Birth: Görlitz
- Height: 6'2 1/2" (189 cm)
- Weight: 176 lbs (80 kg)
- Marital Status: unmarried; three children: Louis (born August 16, 2001), Emilio (born September 19, 2002) and Jordi (born March 17, 2005)
- Highest Education: High School Graduate (Abitur German A-Levels 1995)
- Learned Profession: Professional Footballer
- Hobbies: Travelling, Tennis, Golf, Movies, Music
Clubs
- BSG Motor Karl-Marx-Stadt (before 1995)
- Chemnitzer FC (1995-1997)
- FC Kaiserslautern (1997-1999)
- Bayer Leverkusen (1999-2002)
- FC Bayern München (since 2002)
Milestones
- Runner-up FIFA World Cup 2002
- Runner-up UEFA Champions League 2002 (Bayer Leverkusen)
- German Champion 1998 (1.FC Kaiserslautern)
- German Champion 2003 (FC Bayern München)
- German Cup Winner 2003 (FC Bayern München)
- German Champion 2005 (FC Bayern München)
- German Cup Winner 2005 (FC Bayern München)
- German Player of the Year 2002
- German Player of the Year 2003
- German Player of the Year 2005
- Midfielder of the Year 2002 (UEFA)
- Selected to FIFA's 100 Greatest Living Players of All Time
- World Player of the Year 2002 (Soccer Digest)
- World Champion of the Year 2006 (Irish Times)
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