# Michael Ballack > German association football player (born 1976) **Wikidata**: [Q11948](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11948) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Ballack) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michael-ballack ## Summary Michael Ballack is a German association football player born on September 26, 1976, widely regarded as one of Germany's most accomplished midfielders of his generation. He played for top European clubs including Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, earning over 90 caps for the German national team. Ballack was recognized with numerous awards including the FIFA 100, German Footballer of the Year, and the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, Germany's highest sports honor. ## Biography - **Born**: September 26, 1976 - **Nationality**: Germany - **Height**: 189.0 cm - **Weight**: 85.0 kg - **Known for**: Elite midfield play, goal-scoring ability, leadership roles at top European clubs - **Field(s)**: Association football (soccer) - **Work period start**: 1995 ## Contributions Michael Ballack's professional football career spanned multiple top-tier European clubs where he made significant contributions: - **Club Career**: Played for prominent clubs including Bayer Leverkusen, FC Bayern Munich, and Chelsea FC - **Goal-Scoring Midfield Impact**: Known for his ability to score crucial goals from midfield positions - **National Team Leadership**: Key player for the German national team with over 90 caps - **Career Start**: Began professional career in 1995 ## FAQs ### What awards has Michael Ballack received? Michael Ballack has received several prestigious awards including the FIFA 100 (recognition as one of the world's top footballers), German Footballer of the Year, Goal of the Year, Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (Germany's highest sports award), and the Osgar award. ### What clubs did Michael Ballack play for? Michael Ballack played for top European clubs throughout his career, including Bayer Leverkusen, FC Bayern Munich, and Chelsea FC. ### What is Michael Ballack's physical profile? Michael Ballack stands at 189.0 cm tall and weighs 85.0 kg, making him a physically imposing midfielder. ### How many caps did Michael Ballack earn for Germany? Michael Ballack earned over 90 caps for the German national team during his international career. ### When did Michael Ballack start his professional career? Michael Ballack began his professional football career in 1995. ### What is Michael Ballack known for in football? Michael Ballack is known for his elite midfield play, exceptional goal-scoring ability from midfield positions, leadership qualities, and performances at top European clubs and for the German national team. ## Why They Matter Michael Ballack matters as one of the most influential German midfielders of his generation, helping elevate the Bundesliga's reputation through his performances at Bayern Munich and his successful transition to the English Premier League with Chelsea. His goal-scoring prowess from midfield was exceptional for his era, and he served as a key figure in Germany's national team during major international competitions. His career trajectory demonstrated the ability to succeed across different leagues and cultures, becoming a role model for German footballers seeking to compete at the highest European levels. The recognition he received through awards like the FIFA 100 and German Footballer of the Year solidified his place among Germany's footballing elite. ## Notable For - FIFA 100 recognition (structured list of the world's top footballers) - German Footballer of the Year award winner - Goal of the Year recipient - Silberzes Lorbeerblatt (Germany's highest sports award) recipient - Over 90 caps for German national team - Successful careers at Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea - Elite goal-scoring ability from midfield position ## Body ### Early Career and Rise Michael Ballack began his professional football career in 1995, quickly establishing himself as a promising midfielder with exceptional technical abilities and goal-scoring prowess. His physical attributes—standing at 189 cm with a weight of 85 kg—made him a formidable presence in midfield, combining aerial ability with technical skill. ### Club Career Ballack played for several of Europe's most prestigious clubs. At Bayer Leverkusen, he developed into one of Germany's most complete midfielders, earning recognition for his consistent performances and ability to score crucial goals. His move to FC Bayern Munich further elevated his profile, allowing him to compete at the highest level in both domestic and European competitions. Subsequently, he transferred to Chelsea FC in the English Premier League, where he continued to demonstrate his value as an elite midfielder capable of influencing major matches. ### International Career Representing Germany at the senior international level, Ballack earned over 90 caps for the national team. He was a central figure in Germany's midfield during major international tournaments, contributing his vision, passing ability, and goal-scoring threat to the team's success. ### Recognition and Awards The football community recognized Ballack's contributions through numerous awards. The FIFA 100 honored him as one of the world's top footballers, while the German Footballer of the Year award acknowledged his domestic success. He received the Goal of the Year award for his outstanding strikes, and the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt recognized his achievements as Germany's highest sports honor. The Osgar award further highlighted his accomplishments within German football. ### Physical Attributes and Playing Style Ballack's physical profile—189 cm height and 85 kg weight—contributed to his effectiveness as a box-to-box midfielder. His combination of size, strength, and technical ability allowed him to dominate midfield battles, contribute to both attacking and defensive efforts, and score goals from various positions on the field. ### Digital Presence and Identification Michael Ballack maintains an official online presence through his website (http://www.michael-ballack.com) and various social media platforms. His extensive digital footprint is evidenced by multiple identifier codes across different databases and platforms, reflecting his status as a globally recognized sports figure. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. [Source](https://www.sat1.at/tv/promi-big-brother/bewohner/simone-mecky-ballack) 3. ESPN FC 4. Transfermarkt 5. filmportal.de 6. Discogs 7. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 8. Argentine Soccer Database 9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 10. Library of Congress Control Number