Golden Generation Squad

The midfield general who led Germany and his clubs to multiple finals.

Michael Ballack (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.

Quick Facts

Key manager: Klaus Toppmöller
Team captain: Jens Nowotny
Domestic honour: Bundesliga Runners-up

Lore & Background

Ballack began his career as a youth at BSG Motor 'Fritz Heckert' Karl-Marx-Stadt in 1983. He moved to Bayer Leverkusen for €4.1 million in 1999. In 2000, Bayer Leverkusen needed only a draw against SpVgg Unterhaching to win the Bundesliga title, but an own goal by Ballack helped send the team to a 0–2 defeat. 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.

Reader's Guide

Ballack joined Bayern Munich in a €6 million deal in 2002. He won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2003, 2005 and 2006. He joined Chelsea in mid-2006 and won English honours in his first season. Internationally, he played in Euro 2000, 2004, 2008, and World Cup 2002 and 2006. He was appointed captain in 2004.