“To call a friendly match that was arranged long ago a farewell match is a farce in my opinion. I know I owe my fans this match but I cannot accept the offer.”
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Michael Ballack
Michael Ballack 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, strength and commanding presence in midfield.
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sports · German footballer (born 1976) · association football player · also Michael Ballack, Ballack
Born 26 September 1976 · Q11948
94 published statements · 0 followers
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2026· 1 entry
2021· 1 entry
The Guardian: Son of German football star Michael Ballack dies in quad bike crash
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2017· 1 entry
The Guardian: Michael Ballack urges Diego Costa and co to beware Chinese riches
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2016· 1 entry
The Guardian: Germany dismiss criticism from former captain Michael Ballack as ‘comedy’
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2015· 1 entry
The Guardian: Michael Ballack: ‘Barcelona’s front three are a little bit like divas’
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2013· 1 entry
The Guardian: Michael Ballack: a nearly man or an undisputed midfield genius? | Marcus Christenson
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2012· 4 entries
The Guardian: Michael Ballack announces retirement at age of 36
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The Guardian: Chelsea are underdogs against Bayern Munich, says Michael Ballack
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The Guardian: Pride, pig-headedness and glee: Leverkusen's Project Ballack fails | Raphael Honigstein
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“s Montreal Impact and A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers. On 5 June 2013, Ballack played a farewell match at Leipzig”
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2011· 2 entries
The Guardian: Michael Ballack returns to Chelsea for Champions League action
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Ballack's international coach at the time, Joachim Löw, praised him, describing him as a player who "exudes authority and calm on the pitch"
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2010· 15 entries
The Guardian: Michael Ballack may never play for Germany again, says Joachim Löw
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The Guardian: Michael Ballack set to replace Philipp Lahm as Germany captain
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The Guardian: Didn't he used to be rubbish: Michael Ballack of Germany | Harry Pearson
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Won the English FA Cup with Chelsea (2009-2010).
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The Guardian: Michael Ballack set for talks with Bayer Leverkusen over Bundesliga return
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Won: Premier League with Chelsea (2009–10).
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Won: FA Cup with Chelsea (2009–10).
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The Guardian: Michael Ballack says Chelsea axe was Roman Abramovich's decision
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The Guardian: Chelsea release Joe Cole and Michael Ballack
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The Guardian: Michael Ballack's Chelsea contract stand-off alerts Dubai clubs
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The Guardian: Michael Ballack moves closer to extending Chelsea contract
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The Guardian: Michael Ballack hit me first, says Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng
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Played for Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2010–2012) — 35 appearances, 2 goals.
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Joined Leverkusen in 2010.
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At the club or international level due to a shin injury sustained 11 September 2010 in a Bundesliga match against Hannover 96
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2009· 5 entries
Won the English FA Cup with Chelsea (2008-2009).
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Won the English FA Community Shield with Chelsea (2009).
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Won: FA Cup with Chelsea (2008–09).
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Won: FA Community Shield with Chelsea (2009).
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And then once more as part of a league and cup double in 2010
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2008· 5 entries
Runner-up: Football League Cup with Chelsea (2007–08).
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Runner-up: UEFA European Championship with Germany (2008).
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Won: Goal of the Year (Germany) with FIFA 100 (2008).
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Runner-up: UEFA Champions League with Chelsea (2007–08).
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Won award: UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament (2008).
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2007· 4 entries
Won the English Football League Cup with Chelsea (2006-2007).
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Won the English FA Cup with Arsenal (2006-2007).
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Won: FA Cup with Chelsea (2006–07).
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Won: Football League Cup with Chelsea (2006–07).
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2006· 8 entries
Won award: kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season (2005–06).
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Won: Bundesliga with Bayern Munich (2005–06).
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Won award: FIFA World Cup All-star team (2006).
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Won award: Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (2006).
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Third place: FIFA World Cup with Germany (2006).
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Won: DFB-Pokal with Bayern Munich (2005–06).
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Joined Chelsea in 2006.
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Played for Chelsea F.C. (2006–2010) — 105 appearances, 17 goals.
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2005· 8 entries
Won: DFB-Pokal with Bayern Munich (2004–05).
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Third place: FIFA Confederations Cup with Germany (2005).
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Won award: kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season (2004–05).
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Awarded Osgar (2005).
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Won award: Footballer of the Year (Germany) (2005).
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Won: Bundesliga with Bayern Munich (2004–05).
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Awarded German Footballer of the Year (2005).
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Won: FIFA Confederations Cup Silver Shoe Winner with FIFA 100 (2005).
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2004· 2 entries
Won: DFB-Ligapokal with Bayern Munich (2004).
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Won award: UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament (2004).
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2003· 5 entries
Won award: Footballer of the Year (Germany) (2003).
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Awarded German Footballer of the Year (2003).
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Won award: kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season (2002–03).
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Won: DFB-Pokal with Bayern Munich (2002–03).
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Won: Bundesliga with Bayern Munich (2002–03).
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2002· 16 entries
Won award: ESM Team of the Year (2001–02).
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Runner-up: DFB-Pokal with Bayer Leverkusen (2001–02).
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Runner-up: UEFA Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen (2001–02).
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Runner-up: FIFA World Cup with Germany (2002).
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Won award: UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year (2002).
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Won award: UEFA Team of the Year (2002).
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Won award: Footballer of the Year (Germany) (2002).
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Won award: kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season (2001–02).
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Won award: kicker Man of the Year (Mann des Jahres) (2002).
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Won award: FIFA World Cup All-star team (2002).
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Won award: FIFA XI (2002).
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Won award: Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (2002).
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Awarded German Footballer of the Year (2002).
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Joined Bayern Munich in 2002.
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Played for FC Bayern Munich (2002–2006) — 107 appearances, 44 goals.
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After his impressive performances in the World Cup
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2000· 2 entries
Bayer Leverkusen needed only a draw against minnows SpVgg Unterhaching to win the Bundesliga title, but an own goal by Ballack helped send the team to a crushing 0–2 defeat, while Bayern Munich clinched the title with a
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2004 and 2008, and the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and 2006
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1999· 4 entries
Played for Germany men's national association football team (1999–2010) — 98 appearances, 42 goals.
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Played for Bayer 04 Leverkusen (1999–2002) — 79 appearances, 27 goals.
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Then-coach Christoph Daum moved him to midfield
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Joined Leverkusen in 1999.
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1998· 1 entry
Won: Bundesliga with 1. FC Kaiserslautern (1997–98).
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1997· 3 entries
Played for 1. FC Kaiserslautern (1997–1999) — 46 appearances, 4 goals.
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Joined Kaiserslautern in 1997.
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Played for 1. FC Kaiserslautern II (1997–1998) — 17 appearances, 8 goals.
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1996· 1 entry
Played for Germany national under-21 football team (1996–1998) — 19 appearances, 7 goals.
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1995· 2 entries
Ballack earned his first professional contract, thanks to his performances in the role of central midfielder
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Played for Chemnitzer FC (1995–1997) — 18 appearances, 5 goals.
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1976· 1 entry
Born 1976-09-26.
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