Michael Ballack ( Part 3)

Michael Ballack continued to showcase his goal-scoring prowess for Chelsea. In the team's second game of the season against Sunderland, Ballack found the back of the net, marking his first goal of the campaign in a 3–1 victory. He followed this up with another goal against Burnley in a comfortable 3–0 win.
Ballack's impact wasn't limited to the Premier League, as he also made significant contributions in the Champions League. He scored his third league goal of the season against Tottenham on 20 September 2009 and added another goal in a 7–2 win against Sunderland on 17 January 2010. In the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Cardiff City, Ballack scored a crucial goal to put Chelsea ahead, ultimately securing a 4–1 victory for his team.


However, the season was not without its setbacks for Ballack. He was sent off in Chelsea's 4–2 defeat against Manchester City on 27 February 2010. Despite this, Chelsea went on to win the 2009–10 Premier League title, marking Ballack's first league triumph in England. He also started in the FA Cup final against Portsmouth, but unfortunately, he had to leave the pitch injured shortly before half-time due to a tackle by Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Following the conclusion of the season, it was announced on 9 June 2010 that Ballack, along with teammates Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti, would depart Chelsea on a free transfer as their contracts were not renewed. While manager Carlo Ancelotti wished to retain Ballack, club owner Roman Abramovich was only willing to offer a one-year deal due to concerns about Ballack's age. Despite his departure, Ballack left a lasting legacy at Chelsea, with an impressive record of just 10 losses in 105 appearances in the Premier League.


After signing a two-year contract with his former club Bayer Leverkusen on 25 June 2010, Michael Ballack returned to familiar territory. He wasted no time in making an impact, scoring the opening goal for Leverkusen in a 3–0 victory against Tavriya Simferopol in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers on 19 August 2010.
However, his return to action was short-lived. On 6 October 2010, it was announced that Ballack would be sidelined for the rest of the year, both at club and international levels, due to a shin injury sustained during a Bundesliga match against Hannover 96 on 11 September 2010.
Fortunately, Ballack made a triumphant return on 20 February 2011, coming on as a substitute for Simon Rolfes in a match against VfB Stuttgart, which Leverkusen won 4–2.


He continued to make significant contributions upon his return, scoring his second Europa League goal against Metalist Kharkiv, helping Leverkusen secure a 2–0 victory and progress to the round of 16 with a 6–0 aggregate win.
Ballack's presence was felt in domestic competitions as well. He played the full 90 minutes against Schalke 04, providing an assist for Eren Derdiyok's goal in a 2–0 victory for Leverkusen. Despite his injury setback, Ballack demonstrated resilience and determination, showcasing his enduring quality on the pitch for Bayer Leverkusen.


Michael Ballack officially announced his retirement from professional football on 2 October 2012. Following this announcement, he engaged in discussions with Major League Soccer's Montreal Impact and A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers about potential future involvement in football projects.
To commemorate his illustrious career, a farewell match was organized at Leipzig's Red Bull Arena on 5 June 2013. The match featured a World XI facing off against the "Friends of Ballack" team, with Ballack himself participating. In a thrilling encounter, the World XI emerged victorious with a narrow 4–3 win over the "Friends of Ballack." Ballack showcased his enduring talent by scoring a remarkable hat-trick, demonstrating his prowess on the field one last time.


The match was a star-studded affair, with former teammates, friends, and football legends joining in to pay tribute to Ballack's remarkable career. Notable participants included Lothar Matthäus, Didier Drogba, Miroslav Klose, Andriy Shevchenko, Philipp Lahm, and many others. Even Formula 1 racing driver Michael Schumacher took part in the event, highlighting the widespread admiration and respect Ballack commanded across different sporting realms.
Adding to the occasion's significance, the teams were led by Ballack's esteemed former coaches, José Mourinho and Rudi Völler, further underscoring the profound impact Ballack had on the footballing world throughout his career.


Michael Ballack had a remarkable international career representing the German national team. He made his debut for the under-21 team on 26 March 1996, shortly after joining Chemnitzer FC, and went on to play 19 matches for the under-21 side, scoring four goals. His impressive performances led to his inclusion in the senior squad under head coach Berti Vogts.
Ballack's senior debut for Germany came on 28 April 1999, as a substitute in a match against Scotland. He played a crucial role in several major tournaments, including UEFA Euro 2000 and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. At the 2002 World Cup, Ballack's goals against the United States and South Korea helped Germany reach the final, although he missed the final due to suspension. Despite this setback, he was included in the World Cup All-Star Team.


Following Euro 2004, Ballack was appointed captain of the national team, succeeding Oliver Kahn. He continued to lead by example, scoring three goals, all from penalties, in the 2005 Confederations Cup. Ballack's leadership and contributions were instrumental in Germany's journey to the semi-finals of the tournament.
The 2006 FIFA World Cup saw Ballack shine once again, despite initially being sidelined due to injury. He played a pivotal role in Germany's third-place finish, earning accolades such as Man of the Match in several games and inclusion in FIFA's World Cup All-Star Team for the second consecutive time.


Ballack continued to excel on the international stage, notably at Euro 2008, where he scored crucial goals against Austria and Portugal, helping Germany reach the final. Although they fell short against Spain, Ballack's performances earned him a place in the Squad of the Tournament.
However, Ballack's hopes for the 2010 World Cup were dashed by an ankle injury sustained in the FA Cup final, preventing him from participating in the tournament. Despite his absence, Germany performed admirably, with emerging talents making significant contributions.
Following the 2010 World Cup, Ballack's international career faced challenges due to injuries and disagreements with coach Joachim Löw. He ultimately retired from international football on 16 June 2011, after declining an offer from the German Football Association to reach 100 caps. Ballack organized a farewell game, demonstrating his enduring impact and respect within the football community.

References

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