Michael Ballack
German footballer (born 1976)
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Key Takeaways
- Michael Ballack ( German pronunciation: [ˈmɪçaʔeːl ˈbalak] ; born 26 September 1976) is a German former professional footballer who is now a football agent.
- He won the German Footballer of the Year award three times – in 2002, 2003 and 2005.
- Ballack began his career as a youth at enterprise sports community BSG Motor "Fritz Heckert" Karl-Marx-Stadt in 1983.
- Ballack made his debut for Germany's under-21 side on 26 March 1996.
- FC Kaiserslautern in 1997.
Michael Ballack (German pronunciation: [ˈmɪçaʔeːl ˈbalak]; born 26 September 1976) is a German former professional footballer who is now a football agent. He was selected by Pelé as one of FIFA's 100 Greatest Living Players, and as the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year in 2002. He won the German Footballer of the Year award three times – in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Ballack was known for his passing range, powerful shot, physical strength and commanding presence in midfield.
Ballack began his career as a youth at enterprise sports community BSG Motor "Fritz Heckert" Karl-Marx-Stadt in 1983. He then joined the youth department of football club FC Karl-Marx-Stadt. Ballack made his debut for Germany's under-21 side on 26 March 1996. Although the team were relegated in his first season, his performances in the Regionalliga the following season led to a transfer to 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 1997. He won the Bundesliga in his first season at the club, his first major honour. He became a first team regular in 1998–99 season and also earned his first senior national cap for Germany. He moved to Bayer Leverkusen for €4.1 million in 1999. The 2001–02 season saw him win a slew of runners-up medals: Bayer Leverkusen finished second in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Champions League and Germany lost to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup Final.
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