Michael Ballack

Michael Ballack (born September 26, 1976 in
Görlitz, then East Germany) is a Germany|German
football (soccer)|football player. He plays in
central midfield for Bayern Munich in the German
Bundesliga (football)|Bundesliga as well as in the
Germany national football team|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 1.
FC Kaiserslautern|Kaiserslautern.

Ballack shone at the Wc|2002, in which he scored
three goals, including the lone goals in the
quarterfinal win over the United States men's
national soccer team|United States and, famously,
in the semifinal win over South Korea national
football team|South Korea, just after picking up a
third booking, which meant he would miss the
Final. Without him, Germany lost two-nil against
Brazil national football team|Brazil. Ballack also
played at Ec2|2000 and Ec2|2004.

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, to Manchester United. A new contract
at his club Bayern Munich, hasn't been resolved.

== 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
19th, 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
* 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

== Statistics ==
(as of 8/2005)

*National Team: 29 Goals in 58 Games Played

*Bundesliga: 63 goals in 209 Games Played