World Cup South Africa 2010

Favorite Players by Country (Germany 2006)

Group A - Germany:

Michael Ballack

Place of Birth: Görlitz, Germany
Date of Birth: 26 September, 1976
Position: Midfielder
Clubs: Chemnitzer FC (East Germany), 1. FC Kaiserslautern (Germany, Bundesliga), Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Germany, Bundesliga), FC Bayern München (Germany, Bundesliga)

Michael Ballack was born in East Germany and started in the Bundesliga around the age of 20 with the Kaiserslautern. He is an intelligent midfielder with a delicate touch on the ball.

The 2001/2002 season saw Ballack at his best as he took his side to the Champions League finals before losing out to Real Madrid. With Leverkusen finishing second in the Bundesliga, Ballack's 17 club goals earned him the German Player of the Year title.

His first season with FC Bayern München was a success as the squad took the league title and Ballack once again won German Player of the Year. Goaltenders shudder at the thought of facing one of his powerful shots from outside the area. At 27 Ballack is already a veteran on the international stage. Finishing second behind England in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifications, Ballack's three goals over two legs against the Ukraine were the saving for Germany.

Ballack continued his quality play in Japan-South Korea; scoring three goals including the crucial semi-final strike against South Korea. His leadership and four goals carried Germany through the 2004 Eurocup qualifications with his side finishing first in their group.

Ballack is definitely Germany’s field commander. Ballack must create the attacks and defensive tackles as well as give inspiration to his teammates if Germany is to win a fourth European title.