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Michael Ballack

Michael Ballack(German pronunciation:[ˈmɪçaːʔeːlˈbalak];born 26 September 1976) is a German former professionalfootballer.He was selected byPeléas one ofFIFA's 100 Greatest Living Players,and as theUEFA Club Midfielder of the Yearin 2002. He won theGerman Footballer of the Yearaward three times – in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Ballack was known for his passing range, powerful shot, physical strength and commanding presence inmidfield.[3][4]

Michael Ballack
Ballack in 2014
Personal information
Full name Michael Ballack[1]
Date of birth (1976-09-26)26 September 1976(age 48)
Place of birth Görlitz,East Germany
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1983–1988 BSG Motor "Fritz Heckert" Karl-Marx-Stadt
1988–1995 Chemnitzer FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1997 Chemnitzer FC II 18 (5)
1995–1997 Chemnitzer FC 49 (10)
1997–1998 1. FC Kaiserslautern II 17 (8)
1997–1999 1. FC Kaiserslautern 46 (4)
1999–2002 Bayer Leverkusen 79 (27)
2002–2006 Bayern Munich 107 (44)
2006–2010 Chelsea 105 (17)
2010–2012 Bayer Leverkusen 35 (2)
Total 456 (117)
International career
1996–1998 Germany U21 19 (7)
1999–2010 Germany 98 (42)
Medal record
Men'sfootball
RepresentingGermany
FIFA World Cup
Runner-up 2002 South Korea-Japan
Third place 2006 Germany
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up 2008 Austria-Switzerland
FIFA Confederations Cup
Third place 2005 Germany
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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 offootball clubFC Karl-Marx-Stadt.[5]Ballack made his debut forGermany's under-21 sideon 26 March 1996. Although the team were relegated in his first season, his performances in theRegionalligathe following season led to a transfer to 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 1997. He won theBundesligain his first season at the club, his first major honour. He became a first team regular in1998–99 seasonand also earned his first senior national cap for Germany. He moved toBayer Leverkusenfor €4.1 million in 1999. The2001–02 seasonsaw him win a slew of runners-up medals: Bayer Leverkusenfinished secondin the Bundesliga,DFB-Pokal,UEFA Champions Leagueand Germany lost toBrazilin the2002 World Cup Final.

A €12.9 million move toBayern Munichled to further honours: the team won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokaldoublein 2003, 2005 and 2006. Ballack had become a prolific goalscorer from midfield, scoring 58 goals for Bayern between 2002 and 2006. He joinedPremier LeagueclubChelseain mid-2006 and won English honours in his first season at the club. Injury ruled him out of much of 2007, but he returned the following season to help Chelsea reach their first everChampions League final.He also went on to win theFA Cupagain in 2009 and then once more as part of aleagueandcupdouble in 2010.

Internationally, Ballack has played in theUEFA European Football Championshipin2000,2004and2008,and theFIFA World Cupin2002and2006.Jürgen Klinsmannappointed him captain of the national team in 2004. Ballack scored consecutive game-winning goals in the quarter-final and semi-final to help his country to the2002 World Cup finaland led his team to the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup and theEuro 2008 final.He is among the top goal scorers in the history of the Germany national team.

Early life

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Ballack was born on 26 September 1976 inGörlitz,[6]a town inBezirk Dresden,East Germany(nowSaxony,Germany). He is the only child of Stephan Ballack, an engineer, and his wife Karin, a secretary. The family moved toChemnitz(then called Karl-Marx-Stadt) when Ballack was very young and it was there that he started to play football. He first began playing football for sports community.

Club career

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Chemnitzer FC

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Ballack's parents sent him to train with sports community BSG Motor "Fritz Heckert" Karl-Marx-Stadt at the age of seven. Ballack was praised by coach Steffen Hänisch. Hänisch was particularly impressed by the well-developed technique for Ballack's age and his ability to shoot with both feet. Ballack was then allowed to attend the elite Children and Youth Sports School (KSJ) "Emil Wallner" in Karl-Marx-Stadt.[7]He then joined the larger and more promoted football club FC Karl-Marx-Stadt (renamedChemnitzer FCin 1990) in 1988. The father of Ballack had played second-division football himself in Germany.

In 1995, Ballack earned his first professional contract, thanks to his performances in the role of central midfielder. He was dubbed the "Little Kaiser", in reference toFranz Beckenbauer,who was nicknamed "Der Kaiser".His professional debut came on 4 August 1995, on the first day of the new2. Bundesligaseason. Chemnitz lost the game 2–1, againstVfB Leipzig.[8]At the end of the season, during which Ballack made 15 appearances, Chemnitz were relegated to the multi-tiered, regionalthird division.[5]The following season, Ballack became a regular first-team player as Chemnitz missed out on an immediate return to the Bundesliga. He did not miss a game and scored ten goals for the "Sky Blues". It was not enough for Chemnitz to be promoted, but in the summer of 1997, coachOtto Rehhagelof just-promoted1. FC Kaiserslauternsigned Ballack at their return to top flight football.[6]

1. FC Kaiserslautern

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It was during the seventh match of the1997–98 Bundesliga season,away toKarlsruhe,that Rehhagel decided to give Ballack his first Bundesliga appearance, substituting him onto the field for the final five minutes of the encounter.[9]On 28 March 1998, Ballack made his first-team debut-start againstBayer Leverkusen.[10]

Ballack made 16 appearances for his new team during the season as the club became the first-ever newly promoted team to lift theBundesliga title.[6]In thefollowing season,Ballack became both a regular member of the team (he made 30 appearances, scoring 4 goals in the league) and one of the side's leading players. Kaiserslautern reached the quarter finals of theChampions League,but were eliminated byBayern Munich.[11]

On 1 July 1999, Ballack moved to Bayer Leverkusen at age 22 for a transfer fee of €4.1 million.

Bayer Leverkusen

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It was at Bayer Leverkusen that Ballack made his breakthrough. CoachesChristoph DaumandKlaus Toppmöllergranted him an attacking role in the midfield. Ballack was instrumental to the success of Leverkusen, scoring 27 goals in the league[5]and nine in Europe over the course of his three seasons at theBayArena.

In 2000, Bayer Leverkusen needed only a draw against minnowsSpVgg Unterhachingto win the Bundesliga title, but an own goal by Ballack helped send the team to a crushing 0–2 defeat,[12]while Bayern Munich clinched the title with a 3–1 victory overWerder Bremen.[13]The2001–02 seasonwas a disappointing one for Bayer Leverkusen. In the Bundesliga, the team surrendered a five-point lead at the top of the table over the last three games of the season to finish second behindBorussia Dortmund;lost theUEFA Champions Leaguefinal2–1 toReal Madrid;and lost theDFB-Pokalfinal 4–2 toSchalke 04.These three runner-up finishes were dubbed a "Treble Horror": Bayer Leverkusen was dubbed "BayerNeverkusen"inEnglish,while theGermannickname becameVizekusen.[6]Ballack and Leverkusen teammatesBernd Schneider,Carsten RamelowandOliver Neuvillewere also beaten finalists with Germany in the2002 FIFA World Cup,although Ballack was suspended for thefinal itself.Ballack finished with 17 league goals and his performance over the season led to him being voted into the UEFA.com users' Team of 2002 as well as being namedGerman Footballer of the Year.

Bayern Munich

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Ballack playing for Bayern Munich in April 2006

In spite of Real Madrid's interest, Ballack decided to sign with Bayern Munich in a €6 million deal in 2002 after his impressive performances in the World Cup. In his first season with the club, Bayern won theBundesligawith 75 points as well as theDFB-Pokal,with Ballack scoring twice and defeating former club 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the latter's final.[14]In hissecond season,however, Bayern lost both their Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal crowns to Werder Bremen.

In his third season with the Bavarians, Ballack enjoyed success in the2004–05 seasonas Bayern Munich completed another double. New coachFelix Magathstated he was the only automatic starter in their midfield.[15]In four seasons at Bayern, Ballack won three Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal doubles, scoring 44 goals in 107 Bundesliga matches.[16]Between 1998 and 2005, Ballack scored 61 goals in total in the domestic league.[5]

Ballack's critics, however, noted his frequent "choking"in important Champions League matches. This resulted in open public criticism from club general managerUli Hoeneß,communications directorKarl-Heinz Rummeniggeand club presidentFranz Beckenbauer,all former Bayern players. Beckenbauer later went as far as to accuse Ballack of "saving his strength" for prospective employers after Ballack turned in an average performance in the2006 DFB-Pokalfinal againstEintracht Frankfurt.[17]

Chelsea

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Ballack agreed to join EnglishPremier LeagueclubChelseaon afree transferon 15 May 2006.[18]During his last season with Bayern, there were rumours of interest fromManchester United,Real Madrid,InternazionaleandMilan,[19]but Ballack instead chose to go toStamford Bridge.Shortly after arriving at Chelsea, Ballack stated that he hoped to end his career at Chelsea.[20]

2006–07 season

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Ballack with Chelsea in 2008

Ballack's debut for Chelsea came on 31 July 2006, during a practice match atUCLA's intramural football pitch. Chelsea presented him to the media the following day where the club also gave him his favoured number 13 shirt, worn throughout his career. Upon doing so,William Gallas,who previously wore the number 13 shirt for Chelsea, was given the number 3 shirt. This move created animosity between Gallas and the club as Gallas felt that he was underappreciated.[21]Ballack made his competitive debut in the2006 FA Community Shield,but went off injured in the first half.[22]On 27 August 2006, Ballack made hisPremier Leaguedebut for Chelsea againstBlackburn Rovers.[23]On 12 September, he scored his first goal for the club on hisChampions Leaguedebut against Werder Bremen.[24]

He received the first straight red card of his career in Chelsea's 1–0 win overLiverpoolon 17 September 2006, after being judged to have stamped onMohamed Sissoko's leg.[25]Ballack scored his first Premier League goal on 21 October 2006 againstPortsmouthat Stamford Bridge with a header. His firstFA Cupgoal came in the 109th minute in the semi-final against Blackburn on 15 April 2007. This goal resulted in Chelsea progressing into theFA Cupfinal. He scored eight goals in all competitions for the club in the2006–07 season,including a free-kick againstEvertonatGoodison Park,as well as a half-volley againstPortowhich sent Chelsea through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Throughout his first season at Chelsea, Ballack was criticised for his lethargic performances – for playing as though he had "a huge cigar in his mouth".[26]

On 29 April 2007, Chelsea released a statement on their official website, informing fans that Ballack had undergone ankle surgery inMunich.[27]As a result, Ballack did not play in theFA Cup finalagainst Manchester United, which Chelsea won 1–0 throughDidier Drogba's extra time goal. This was Ballack's second trophy this season, his first being theLeague Cup,the final of which he started.

2007–08 season

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Despite persistent rumours in the summer 2007 transfer window,[citation needed]Ballack denied that he wanted to leave[citation needed]and no such move materialised. Chelsea left Ballack out of their Champions League squad for the2007–08 group stageas they realised that his injury would prevent him from playing any useful part and preferred to select the fully fitSteve Sidwell.The German international had an ankle operation in the summer and Chelsea could not take the risk of him not regaining full fitness before the end of the group stage. Thus, Ballack could not play in the Champions League before the knockout stages began in February.[28]The club was only able to select 23 out of a possible 25 players for their Champions League squad due to the new UEFA regulations on "association-trained players" and "club-trained players". Due to this regulation, Chelsea were also unable to select young playerScott Sinclairand could only pick 23 players as their only "club-trained player" wasJohn Terry.For this reason, it was deemed unwise to gamble on Ballack being fit at some point.[29]

Ballack made his return to the side in Chelsea's 2–0League Cupwin over Liverpool on 19 December 2007. Ballack tallied an assist late in the game to strikerAndriy Shevchenko.On 26 December 2007, Ballack made his Premier League return in a thrilling game againstAston Villawhich ended 4–4. He came on forFrank Lampardin the 26th minute after the latter had picked up a thigh injury. In first-half stoppage time, he won a penalty after being brought down in the box byZat Knight,which Andriy Shevchenko converted. In the 88th minute, with the score tied at 3–3, Ballack stepped up to take a free-kick, which he buried into the bottom left corner of the goal, but the match ended in a 4–4 draw.

Ballack in action againstFulhamin December 2009

Ballackcaptainedthe Chelsea team in the absence of captain John Terry and vice-captain Frank Lampard in a 2–1 win overNewcastle Unitedon 29 December 2007. Ballack then played his 50th game in a Chelsea shirt in a 2–1 win againstFulhamin which he scored the winning goal for Chelsea. He also scored the only goal that won the match for Chelsea againstReadingto extend the blues' winning streak to a record of nine. And, on 5 March 2007, he scored again, this time againstOlympiacosin the Champions League round of 16 in a 3–0 win. He scored the winning goal in the 2–0 win in the second leg of the quarter-finals againstFenerbahçe,a victory that secured Chelsea a place in the semi-finals.

Ballack continued to score vital goals and, on 26 April 2008, he scored a header and a penalty to give Chelsea a 2–1 win over Manchester United. He was namedMan of The Matchfor his performance. It brought the two teams level in the race for the Premier League title only two matchdays before the end of theseason.

The season ended on a low note for Ballack as Chelsea finished runners-up in the League Cup, Premier League and Champions League. This completed another treble horror for Ballack and his club. On 29 June 2008,Germany,captained by Ballack, lost toSpain1–0 in thefinalofUEFA Euro 2008.This became the second season in Ballack's career after 2002 that he was runner-up for four major trophies.

2008–09 season

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The2008–09 seasonstarted well for Ballack, as he set upJoe Coleto score the first goal in a 4–0 win over Portsmouth in the first game of the season. Ballack was injured shortly after missing the games against Manchester United, Liverpool andArsenal.Ballack's return from injury has been a lift for Chelsea as he set upDecoto score a scissor kick in a 2–0 win againstBolton Wanderers.Ballack's first goal of the '09 season came againstSouthend Unitedin their FA Cup replay, a match which Chelsea went on to win 4–1. Ballack's first Premier League goal of the2008–09 seasoncame on 11 April 2009 in a match against Bolton, ending 4–3 for Chelsea. He came on as a second-half substitute as Chelsea won the2009 FA Cup final.On 2 June 2009, Ballack signed a one-year contract extension with Chelsea.[30]

Ballack on the ground with the ankle injury in the2010 FA Cup Finalthat eventually ruled him out of theWorld Cupafter a tackle fromBoateng(23)

2009–10 season

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In Chelsea's second game of the season, away atSunderland,Ballack scored his first goal of the2009–10 campaignin their 3–1 win. Ballack also scored againstBurnleyin a 3–0 win. Ballack made his firstChampions Leagueappearance for the season against Porto. On 20 September 2009, he scored his third league goal, against Tottenham. On 17 January 2010, he scored his fourth league goal and third assist in a 7–2 win against Sunderland. In Chelsea's fifth roundFA Cuptie againstCardiff City,Ballack scored the goal which putthe Bluesback in front; Chelsea ultimately won 4–1.

Ballack was sent off in Chelsea's 4–2 defeat againstManchester Cityon 27 February 2010.[31]Chelsea went on to win the2009–10 Premier League,Ballack's first league title in England.[32]He also started as Chelsea were victorious against Portsmouth in the2010 FA Cup final,however he would come off injured shortly before half-time after a tackle byKevin-Prince Boateng.As a result of the injury, Ballack was not able to participate in the2010 World Cup.[6][33]

Wikinews has related news:

On 9 June 2010, it was announced that Ballack, along with teammates Joe Cole andJuliano Belletti,would leave Chelsea on a free transfer after his contract was not renewed.[34]It was reported that while managerCarlo Ancelottiwanted to retain Ballack, club ownerRoman Abramovichwas only willing to offer a one-year deal due to Ballack's age.[33]As of December 2012, Ballack had the lowest loss record of any player with more than 100 appearances in the Premier League, losing just 10 of his 105 appearances.[35]

Return to Bayer Leverkusen

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On 25 June 2010, Ballack signed a two-year contract with former club Bayer Leverkusen.[36]On 19 August 2010, he scored the first goal for Leverkusen in a 3–0 win againstTavriya Simferopolin theUEFA Europa Leaguequalifiers. On 6 October 2010, it was announced that Ballack would not play again in 2010 at the club or international level due to a shin injury sustained 11 September 2010 in aBundesligamatch againstHannover 96.

On 20 February 2011, Ballack made his return from injury, coming on as a substitute forSimon RolfesagainstVfB Stuttgart;Leverkusen won the match 4–2. Ballack scored his secondEuropa Leaguegoal againstMetalist Kharkiv,a match Leverkusen won 2–0 and the two-legged tie 6–0 on aggregate to progress to the round of 16.[37]Ballack played the full 90 minutes against Schalke 04, assistingEren Derdiyok's goal in an eventual 2–0 victory.[38]

Retirement

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Ballack announced his retirement on 2 October 2012.[39][40]He had been in talks withMajor League Soccer'sMontreal ImpactandA-LeagueclubWestern Sydney Wanderers.[39]

On 5 June 2013, Ballack played a farewell match atLeipzig'sRed Bull Arena.The match was won by a World XI 4–3 against the "Friends of Ballack", with Ballack scoring his second hat-trick in his career. First he scored two goals with "Friends of Ballack" in the first half and scored his third goal and the winner in the second half for the World XI. Participants in the match included former teammates and friendsLothar Matthäus,Didier Drogba,Miroslav Klose,Andriy Shevchenko,Phillip Lahm,Hasan Salihamidžić,Dimitar Berbatov,Michael Essien,André Schürrle,Ricardo Carvalho,Dietmar Hamann,Florent Malouda,Carsten Jancker,Torsten Frings,Jens Lehmann,Christian Wörns,Mehdi MahdavikiaandPer Mertesacker,as well asFormula 1racing driverMichael Schumacher.The teams were coached by Ballack's former Chelsea coachJosé Mourinhoand his former national team coachRudi Völler.[41]

International career

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Ballack converting a penalty for Germany at the2005 Confederations Cupin a match againstAustralia

On 26 March 1996, Ballack debuted for theGermany national under-21 teamagainstDenmark,shortly after signing for Chemnitzer FC. In all, he played 19 matches for this side, scoring four goals. Then, following his move to 1. FC Kaiserslautern,senior teamhead coachBerti Vogtscalled him up to the squad.

Ballack's first senior Germany appearance, however, did not come until 28 April 1999, when he came on as a substitute forDietmar Hamannin a match againstScotland.[42]

Ballack only played 63 minutes atUEFA Euro 2000.In the2002 FIFA World Cup,he scored in matches against theUnited StatesandSouth Koreaduring the knockout rounds as Germany reached the final. However, he was booked for a tactical foul during the semi-final match against South Korea and was suspended forthe final,which Germany went on to lose 2–0 toBrazil.He was included in theWorld Cup All Star Team.Ballack missing the final ultimately led to a lasting revision of theyellow cardamnesty rule in order "to give the best players a chance to play in the final".[43]FollowingEuro 2004,Jürgen KlinsmannreplacedRudi Völlerat the helm of the national team and Ballack took over fromOliver Kahnas captain. He scored three goals — all penalties — in the2005 Confederations Cup,in which Germany were eliminated byBrazilin the semifinals.[44]

Ballack (#13) during the match againstSwedenat the2006 World Cup

In the2006 World Cup,he was unable to start in Germany's first game againstCosta Ricadue to a calf strain, but appeared in the following five matches. Germany were eliminated in the semi-finals, but they managed to clinch third place in a match againstPortugal.He was namedMan of the Matchin the games againstEcuadorandArgentina,[45]and was included inFIFA'sWorld Cup All Star Teamfor a second consecutive time. After the tournament, Klinsmann stood down as national team head coach and was succeeded by assistantJoachim Löw.

Ballack started and captained Germany in their first game ofEuro 2008againstPoland.[46]He proved to be an influential figure in the midfield as Germany came back from a shock defeat toCroatiato make it to thefinal,scoring a free kick againstAustriato secure Germany a 1–0 win and a place in the quarter-finals.[47]In the quarter-finals, he scored a header against Portugal to make the score 3–1 in their 3–2 win after an assist byBastian Schweinsteiger's 60th minute free-kick, helping Germany to advance to the semi-finals. Germany went on to beatTurkey3–2 in the semifinals. Prior to the final, Ballack sustained a calf injury but eventually overcame it in time. Germany, however, ended up losing 1–0 toSpain.Nevertheless, he was named in the Squad of the Tournament.[48]

Ballack scored four goals in the2010 World Cup qualifiers,but missed the2010 World Cupafter suffering an ankle injury from a foul byPortsmouth'sKevin-Prince Boatengin the2009–10 FA Cupfinal.[49]Ballack did travel to South Africa to provide moral support for the national team but he departed afterPhilipp Lahm,who was appointed team captain due to Ballack's injury, commented after the quarter-finals that he would not relinquish the captaincy back to Ballack. Team managerOliver Bierhoffcriticized Lahm's comments and clarified the situation, saying, "Philipp Lahm is the World Cup captain and Michael Ballack is still the captain."[50]

Ballack in 2009

Germany played strongly in the tournament despite Ballack's absence, including a 4–1 win overEnglandand a 4–0 win over Argentina en route to finishing third, thanks to emerging midfield talents such asSami Khedira,Thomas Müller,andMesut Özil.[51]Former German captain Lothar Matthäus suggested that Ballack's absence had allowed these young players to blossom.[52]

Since the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Ballack had not been called up for any international matches. It was reported that Germany coach Joachim Löw was waiting for Ballack to retire from international football after the 2010 World Cup, however Ballack refused to give up despite a rash of injuries suffered in 2010–11 with Bayer Leverkusen.[53]On 16 June 2011, it was announced that Ballack would no longer be a part of the national team. TheGerman Football Association(DFB) offered him twofriendliesto reach 100 matches for Germany, which he refused, accusing Löw of disrespecting him ever since his injury dating back to March 2010 and calling the invitation to compete in another two games for Germany a "farce".[54][55]

Ballack organized a farewell game by himself and invited Löw and Lahm. The teams on the pit were named Worldplayers vs. Ballack and Friends. Lahm played for 90 minutes. In attendance wereBoris Becker,Michael Schumacher,Lothar MatthäusandRudi Völler.[56]

Style of play

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Ballack is considered to be one of the best and most versatilemidfieldersof his generation;[57]normally deployed in the centre[58]in a box-to-box role,[59]he played in several midfield positions during his career,[3]including in the roles of offensive and holding midfielder,[60]and was noted for his powerful shot with both feet.[3]Due to his tall frame, he was also known for his ability in the air, which made him a goal threat on set pieces.[61]He also excelled at making late runs into the penalty area.[62]

On a technical level, he was a commanding, physically strong and aggressive player, with excellent passing range, who moved the ball efficiently,[3]and who was capable of creating chances for his team.[63]An elegant player on the ball,[62]the technicality and intelligence of his game was extremely high.[64][65][66]He started his football career as asweeper,[64]but when he moved to Leverkusen in 1999, then-coach Christoph Daum moved him to midfield.[67]He adapted to playing in a deeper role on occasion during his spell at Chelsea.[60][68]Ballack was also a strong tackler, which combined with his stamina, as well as his aerial, playmaking, and goalscoring abilities, made him a "complete midfielder," as he was once described by Ben Welch ofFourFourTwomagazine in 2013.[59][65][69]

Beyond his playing ability, Ballack also stood out for his leadership qualities throughout his career.[70]In 2011, Ballack's international coach at the time, Joachim Löw, praised him, describing him as a player who "exudes authority and calm on the pitch".[71]Despite his ability as a player, his later career was often limited by recurring injury struggles.[69]

Personal life

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Ballack's surname is ofSorbianorigin.[72]He was the only child of father Stephan, an engineer who played third-division football, and mother Karin, a secretary and swimmer.[73]

On 14 July 2008, Ballack married his long-time girlfriend Simone Lambe.[74]The couple had three children together: Louis (born 2001), Emilio (2002–2021), and Jordi (born 2005).[75]The couple divorced in 2012. He dated Natacha Tannous from 2015 to 2019.[76]

DuringEuro 2012,the2014 World Cup,andEuro 2016,Ballack worked as a studio analyst forESPN,often alongsideAlexi Lalas.[77]

His son, Emilio, died in a quad bike crash on 5 August 2021 at the age of 18.[78]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chemnitzer FC II 1994–95[16] Oberliga Nordost Süd 7 2 – – – – 7 2
1995–96[16] Oberliga Nordost Süd 11 3 – – – – 11 3
Total 18 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 5
Chemnitzer FC 1995–96[79][80] 2. Bundesliga 15 0 1 0 – – – 16 0
1996–97[16][81] Regionalliga Nordost 34 10 1 0 – – – 35 10
Total 49 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 51 10
1. FC Kaiserslautern 1997–98[82] Bundesliga 16 0 2 0 – – – 18 0
1998–99[83] Bundesliga 30 4 2 0 1 0 6[c] 0 – 39 4
Total 46 4 4 0 1 0 6 0 0 0 57 4
Bayer Leverkusen 1999–2000[84] Bundesliga 23 3 0 0 0 0 2[d] 2 – 25 5
2000–01[85] Bundesliga 27 7 2 0 1 0 5[d] 2 – 35 9
2001–02[86] Bundesliga 29 17 4 0 1 0 16[c] 6 – 50 23
Total 79 27 6 0 2 0 23 10 0 0 110 37
Bayern Munich 2002–03[87] Bundesliga 26 10 5 4 0 0 7[c] 1 – 38 15
2003–04[88] Bundesliga 28 7 3 2 1 2 8[c] 0 – 40 11
2004–05[89] Bundesliga 27 13 4 3 2 2 9[c] 2 – 42 20
2005–06[90] Bundesliga 26 14 5 1 0 0 6[c] 1 – 37 16
Total 107 44 17 10 3 4 30 4 0 0 157 62
Chelsea 2006–07[91] Premier League 26 5 3 1 6 0 10[c] 2 1[e] 0 46 8
2007–08[92] Premier League 18 7 2 0 0 0 9[c] 2 0 0 29 9
2008–09[93] Premier League 29 1 6 3 1 0 10[c] 0 – 46 4
2009–10[94] Premier League 32 4 4 1 2 0 6[c] 0 1[e] 0 45 5
Total 105 17 15 5 9 0 35 4 2 0 166 26
Bayer Leverkusen 2010–11[95] Bundesliga 17 0 0 0 – 3[f] 2 – 20 2
2011–12[96] Bundesliga 18 2 1 0 – 6[c] 1 – 25 3
Total 35 2 1 0 0 0 9 3 0 0 45 5
Career total 439 109 45 15 15 4 103 21 2 0 604 149
  1. ^IncludesDFB-Pokal,FA Cup
  2. ^IncludesDFB-Ligapokal,Football League Cup
  3. ^abcdefghijkAppearances inUEFA Champions League
  4. ^abAppearances inUEFA Cup
  5. ^abAppearance inFA Community Shield
  6. ^Appearances inUEFA Europa League

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Germany 1999 3 0
2000 9 0
2001 9 6
2002 11 6
2003 5 2
2004 13 8
2005 11 7
2006 14 6
2007 2 0
2008 12 4
2009 8 3
2010 1 0
Total 98 42
Scores and results list Germany's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ballack goal.
List of international goals scored by Michael Ballack
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 28 March 2001 Olympic Stadium,Athens,Greece Greece 2–1 4–2 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 2 June 2001 Helsinki Olympic Stadium,Helsinki,Finland Finland 2–1 2–2 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 6 June 2001 Selman Stërmasi Stadium,Tirana,Albania Albania 2–0 2–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 10 November 2001 Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex,Kyiv,Ukraine Ukraine 1–1 1–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 14 November 2001 Signal Iduna Park,Dortmund,Germany Ukraine 1–0 4–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 4–0
7 1 June 2002 Sapporo Dome,Sapporo,Japan Saudi Arabia 3–0 8–0 2002 FIFA World Cup
8 21 June 2002 Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium,Ulsan,South Korea United States 1–0 1–0 2002 FIFA World Cup
9 25 June 2002 Seoul World Cup Stadium,Seoul,South Korea South Korea 1–0 1–0 2002 FIFA World Cup
10 21 August 2002 Vasil Levski National Stadium,Sofia,Bulgaria Bulgaria 1–1 2–2 Friendly
11 7 September 2002 Darius and Girėnas Stadium,Kaunas,Lithuania Lithuania 1–0 2–0 2004 UEFA Euro qualification
12 16 October 2002 HDI-Arena,Hanover,Germany Faroe Islands 1–0 2–1 2004 UEFA Euro qualification
13 10 September 2003 Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany Scotland 2–0 2–1 2004 UEFA Euro qualification
14 11 October 2003 Volksparkstadion,Hamburg,Germany Iceland 1–0 3–0 2004 UEFA Euro qualification
15 31 March 2004 Rhein Energie Stadion,Köln,Germany Belgium 3–0 3–0 Friendly
16 27 May 2004 Schwarzwald-Stadion,Freiburg,Germany Malta 1–0 7–0 Friendly
17 2–0
18 5–0
19 6–0
20 23 June 2004 Estádio José Alvalade,Lisbon,Portugal Czech Republic 1–0 1–2 UEFA Euro 2004
21 16 December 2004 Nissan Stadium,Yokohama,Japan Japan 2–0 3–0 Friendly
22 19 December 2004 Busan Asiad Main Stadium,Busan,South Korea South Korea 1–1 3–1 Friendly
23 4 June 2005 The Oval,Belfast,Northern Ireland Northern Ireland 2–1 4–1 Friendly
24 3–1
25 15 June 2005 Commerzbank Arena,Frankfurt,Germany Australia 3–2 4–3 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup
26 18 June 2005 Rhein Energie Stadion, Köln, Germany Tunisia 1–0 3–0 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup
27 25 June 2005 Max-Morlock-Stadion,Nuremberg,Germany Brazil 2–2 2–3 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup
28 29 June 2005 Red Bull Arena,Leipzig,Germany Mexico 4–3 4–3a.e.t. 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup
29 17 August 2005 De Kuip,Rotterdam,Netherlands Netherlands 2–1 2–2 Friendly
30 22 March 2006 Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany United States 4–0 4–1 Friendly
31 2 June 2006 Borussia Park,Mönchengladbach,Germany Colombia 1–0 3–0 Friendly
32 6 September 2006 San Marino Stadium,Serravalle,San Marino San Marino 3–0 13–0 2008 UEFA Euro Qualification
33 7 October 2006 Ostseestadion,Rostock,Germany Georgia 2–0 2–0 Friendly
34 11 October 2006 Štadión Pasienky,Bratislava,Slovakia Slovakia 2–0 3–0 2008 UEFA Euro qualification
35 15 November 2006 GSP Stadium,Nicosia,Cyprus Cyprus 1–0 1–1 2008 UEFA Euro qualification
36 31 May 2008 Veltins Arena,Gelsenkirchen,Germany Serbia 2–1 2–1 Friendly
37 16 June 2008 Ernst Happel Stadion,Vienna,Austria Austria 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 2008
38 19 June 2008 St. Jakob Park,Basel,Switzerland Portugal 3–1 3–2 UEFA Euro 2008
39 11 October 2008 Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany Russia 2–0 2–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
40 28 March 2009 Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany Liechtenstein 1–0 4–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
41 1 April 2009 Millennium Stadium,Cardiff,Wales Wales 1–0 2–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
42 9 September 2009 HDI Arena, Hanover, Germany Azerbaijan 1–0 4–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

edit

1. FC Kaiserslautern[97]

Bayer Leverkusen

Bayern Munich[97]

Chelsea[97]

Germany[97][5]

Individual

References

edit
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