The Incredibly Sad Career of Michael Ballack 

“Titles can be overestimated. Of course, Lothar Matthäus will always be associated with the 1990 world cup. But not everyone remembers right away what titles Johan Cruyff or luis figo won. People are more likely to remember the way they played and how important they were to their teams. I hope people will remember me as a special football player.” - Michael Ballack. Also RIP to his son, Emilio Ballack who passed away in 2021 🙏 Thank you guys for all the love and support, leave a like if you enjoyed! It’s the best way to help the channel ❤️

Straight up an icon. Grew up watching Ballack with my dad, really unfortunate that things didn’t go his way. 100% one of Germany’s greatest.

Him going after the ref is still legendary

Matt Damon is a legend. He even played football professionally

That condolence shout-out at the end is a respectable gesture to his late son. 🙏

Dam Ballack was so underrated. Germans were calling him Matihaus' heir. Thank you for making a video of him raymar its time for him to get the respect he deserves.

Michael Ballack was a special player. He lost a lot but I'd never call him a loser. The 90s were full of iconic players that'll never be forgotten by the fans who watched them play, and Ballack is one of the legends of that era.

That's a brutal career, even without covering the Champions League semi against Barca

For me, he will never be underlooked or underestimated I mean he was the midfielder that every team wanted, he had everything Shooting passing dribbling defending, he was the perfect package He was the gullit of 2000's era in my books

60 goals and 42 assists in 150 games for a midfielder (Not a winger/10) is still incredible by todays standards.

Not to forget he missed the 2010 World Cup as a captain for the German national team due to an injury that literally ended his career. That young Germany team played fantastic football and with Ballack they might have won it

It so unfortunate that one's talent can be so easily overshadowed by lack of trophies. Fortunately I've witnessed his talent first hand and he is my favorite German player to date

As a 6'3'' midfielder myself, he was always a huge inspiration for me. What a player. Him and Zidane were my heroes growing up.

One of the first footballers who got me into football. Good video, but should have included his horrific injury right before the WC2010 by Kevin Prince Boateng.

I caught the first glimpse of BALLACK at Euros '08. He was something special.

Michael Ballack, ein Name den keiner aus meiner Generation leicht vergessen wird. Nicht jeder hat das Glück als gefeierter Held abzutreten, umso mehr freut es mich, dass es Leute gibt die sein Schaffen würdigen!

In germany younger players, that are like 18/19 and come to the senior squads in every league, still pick the number 13 because of ballack, he had a huge influence on german football.

I got to know about football after hearing Beckham l. But seeing Ballack play in 2006 World Cup got me into the game full on. For me the best midfielder and my favourite player ever.

A great player, he was great in the 2002 WC and it was sad that he couldn’t play in the final, vs Brazil. Definitely one of the best midfielders to play the game. These profile mini documentaries are really good.Keep em coming, Raymar !

An incredibly gifted player. I remember watching him during the 2006 World Cup. The manner in which he controlled games from the engine room was exemplary. And the knack for scoring very important goals stood out time after time.

I wanted to tell his story to the world. Never had enough time as I was up in college. I'm just glad that people appreciate him for who he was. The Dark Knight of German Football. He was the bridge between the old and the 2014's crop of players.

When I was a kid you could tell he was a major factor on the pitch, watching his international appearances were dope since he was such a solid and well rounded player. Didn’t know he suffered so much unsuccessful championship runs, thanks for sharing

Thank you so much for the video! It was really exciting to hear about Ballack again. He was just a spartan of a leader it helped german football a lot during those years.

I'm from Austria, and I dont think Ballacks career was sad. I remember very vividly how much he was hyped in the german speaking sphere. He was like a superstar.

It’s pretty curious that he had all that bad luck while playing with the number 13 on his back :D The only team he didn’t wear it for was Kaiserslautern with whom he actually had immense success!

He literally could’ve became one of the greatest tbh

I'm surprised that Ballack's injury before the 2010 World Cup isn't mentioned. Seems like his career was quite successful tbh considering how many titles/cups that he did win and all the finals he made.

Incredible player, I don't think people who followed football back in the 2000s consider him a failure. Club success is a TEAM accomplishment and it's unfair to judge players based just on their ability to win titles.

One of the first players that made a huge impression to me as I was getting into football in 06-07, my dad is a Chelsea fan and always made an example of Ballack as what a true player should be - a hardworking leader.

I still can't believe that Ballack isn't mentioned in best midfielders conersations with likes like Xavi, Iniesta, Zidane, KDB, Modric etc.... He said it best, titles sometimes overestimate players...

Great video raymar, thank you! In 2010s fa-cup final Ballack got badly injured by Kevin prince boateng, which made him unable to be germanys leader for that year’s World Cup. After that he never was selected again for the national team. Another sad turn in his career…

This video made me really emotional. 😢My favourite footballer through my childhood and the only German footballer in the early 2000s (besides Kahn) who was could be called a world class player. Such a shame he had so much bad luck in his career.

Great video, but don't forget about Kahn on that Germany 2002 squad as he also almost carried them with many amazing saves

As Im a German I always had great respect for our Capitano. But I think he has alway been underrated outside of Germany.

I love the depth of your videos. The bgm 👌🏿 on point. And the use of American and SI units, nice touch

You make very good videos man. Digging up history with facts that are either forgotten or not given sufficient relevance. Keep up the great work!

That Men was an an Icon when i grew up. His free kicks were legendary. So sad that his career path went kinda unlucky, he deserved better.

I saw him play live in 2006 and no joke this guy has presence. You could see how dominant he was on the field.

Thanks for making a video to my favorite player of all time, a true legend!

One of my idols growing up... Seeing him dominate and boss players around in the midfield is the reason why I started playing football as a kid, and I was super happy to be a midfielder. Alas that's all that it was for me since as a dumb kid I liked playing the game and having fun, not really taking it all that seriously even though we won the youth league in Hamburg (F. Liga). But yeah, absolute legend of a player and I for one will always tell people he alongside Lothar Matthäus are some of the best midfield players from their generations.

Hey Raymar! Love your videos man. I may have 3 suggestion for future videos. 1. WTF happened to Samir Nasri 2. Jouninho Pernambukano (the player with the most scored free kicks in history!) 3. Juan Arango (free kick specialist)

This guy was a beast, him, Steven Gerrard and Kaka were my favorite players in the 2000s

Never heard of him, but as soon as I watch this video, my father really hyped up. Never seen him like that, I even can't watch the video properly because Dad keep talking to me about how great Ballack was in that era, He even show me his poster about Ballack. Thanks, Raymar, you made my Dad watch football again.

I just love your videos man Keep up the good work 👍👍

I know him first time at WC2002. Since then his name rings everywhere. They talk him the same breath such as R9, Ronaldinho etc at the time

I remember that powerful kick against Austria in Euro Cup 2008 🤩🤩🤩🤩

Our captain. Physically strong, great leader, he wouldnt do tricks, but had great technique. Had the IQ and ability to make passes that cut through the defense. Had stamina, was a fighter, was strong in defense and recovering the ball and bringing it forward. Was an amazing header of the ball and his feet, boy his feet. His strong (right foot) was a projectile missile that had precision and power. Even his weak (left) foot was better than most ppls strong foot. Dude was just so damn complete, only thing u could say he didnt have was that he wasnt explosive/fast or could jump out the building, but even then its not like he was a bad athlete. Definitely deserves more love from the community overall. With lahm and schweinsteiger gone, Really think someone with his personality could help out the national team a lot right now. Miss u and thank u for everything el capitano.

Michael ballack was my favorite player then, thanks raymar for making this video

Chelsea and Germany fans know how much of an absolute BEAST this man was! Super underrated.

I really think you should make a video about Matias Fernandez, elected on 2006 the best player in America and on its way to become one of the best midfielders of his generation, but his career plunged dramatically

That Semifinal match between S. Korea and Germany of WC2002 was the first football match I ever watched on TV, at the age of 9. Ballack became my experience of witnessing the first goal and the first red card in my life. I started loving football because of Michael Ballack. I learned that tragedy is not life, but just a part of it, because of Michael Ballack.

He was my favorite player growing up thx for the tribute

He was an absolute Icon. For me he was the best German Player ever.

My favorite German footballer of all time. He did everything in the field. He was fast, strong, with unique technique, great both at defending and attacking skills. Great passer. He was something between Zidane and Mascherano. In my opinion, maybe the best CM of all time. Remember that Xavi and Iniesta who considered by many people as the best of midfielders were surely not so much dangerous as attackers and not as strong and good at defending. They were better at midfielding, but not overall. Only players that are as good as Ballack as all around midfielders are Cambiasso and Modric. During the 08-09 season Ballack deserved tye Ballon D'Or. He was unstoppable and the referee obviously stole from him the Champions league at the match against Barcelona during the semifinals

Great vid, thx

Awesome video thanks

Not necessarily relating this to Ballack, but Real Madrid’s recent UCL success has been taken for granted for how amazing it really is. You think of how hard guys like Zanetti, Lahm, Neymar, Suarez etc have worked and how long they have been around yet all of them *only* have one UCL each. Then there’s guys like Benzema and Modric who have won the UCL five times now all as world class starters and probably have time for one more. It’s actually insane when you think about it, but disregarding the 50s and 60s when not many teams played in the European Cup, Real Madrid’s current squad must have an insane amount of success compared to anyone else. Barça may have a few players with four, but Messi and Iniesta were kind of irrelevant to winning in 2006 and Xavi didn’t do much in 2015 so they weren’t vital like the Real Madrid guys I mentioned

I remember being a die hard United supporter when I was 11 years old. This was especially in the dominant 2008 period when they were unbeatable. That was until I saw Ballack bossing the midfield against United and even though it ended in a draw, I switched alliances to Chelsea to this date. He is the true definition of a Rolls Royce midfielder.

i feel bad fro him, plus keep up the amazing content

His goal against the US in 2002 broke my heart. I've never been able to go back and rewatch that match.

Cant believe you didnt mention him missing the 2010 World Cup because of an injury after he got fouled by Kevin Prince Boateng. If that wasnt bad enough he then pretty much got demoted from the team without even knowing because Lahm said he wants to remain Captain. They did offer him a retirement match but he understandably refused

Imagine if he won all the finals , he would be the greatest player ever

Childhood idol, thank you for the video❤️ Dunno if you saw my siggestion to bring him, but anyway very pleasing!

2002 & 2006 World Cup. Legends are born in the World Cup, and Ballack was one of them.

Would love it if you made an episode on baggio, an absolute magician

You know you are a top tier player when you never really won anything of note yet are remembered as one of the best players ever in your respective position. That actually speaks a lot of how talented Ballack was. He was and still is an icon.

Michaael ballack is the reason i started to watch football..... A great player, A great leader and undoubtedly one of the biggest asset for German football. He was with them through thick and thin. People will always remember him for the player he is. Although would have loved to see him win one major trophy but still he will forever be remembered by German fans.

I met Michael Ballack at Chelsea back in the 0s. A good, smart, intelligent man, friendly to boot. We'll remember him as a great player. Enough said.

Kudos to him to convert it into a very successful acting career. Especially starring in classics such as Saving Private Ryan...

9:37 Even in consideration to today's standards that stats are Hella impressive.

Great Video about Michael Ballack. Except for one thing, a very important Detail was left out. Under what circumstances Michael Ballack left the German National Team. Due to injuries Michael Ballack wasn't able to participate in the 2010 WC so Trainer Jogi Löw decided to give the captain position temporarily to Philip Lahm. Jogi Löw promised that once Michael Ballack is back in top form he'll get the captain position. Shortly after 2010 WC took place Michael Ballack had recovered from his injuries and tried to get his rightful position back but Philip Lahm stubbornly refused of relinquishing his Captain position. Philip Lahm is man without honor. Michael Ballack was disappointed and decided to leave the German National Team.

Not really in my country, we still remember Ballack as a legendary figure and many look up to him as rolemodel. We weren't even aware about his statistic. He just an amazing player and even until today we always remember him as that, nobody remember him as the biggest loser or end up that sad.

Can you please do more defenders? You did Maldini before, please add the likes of Nesta, Bobby Charles, Cannavaro, Franco Barezzi, Cafu (he had an unusual and interesting career path IMO), Van Dike, etc.

🥰Ballack sempre será uma inspiração, obrigada pelo vídeo. Ballack é especial... muito especial! Jogou muito futebol! Para mim um dos melhores meio-campista do mundo.

Header specialist. That's how I remember him. Top class headers.

I love Raymar videos

Ballack was such a great player he deserves more fame doesn't the trolls

"Based on today's standards"! What are you saying man, which midfielders today can easily give you 60goals, 40assists in 150 games? Many players today need a system to make them comfortable before they function, players of yesterday didn't they just played football, whatever formation, tactic or philosophy they represented

He was an absolute beast with a very unique skill set, one of my all time favorites

Well, that's a flawed take. Nevermind all the domestic trophies he won in the biggest leagues in Europe...nevermind the individual accolades he picked up while playing for club and country...let's focus on the international competitions with club and country that he lost and claim he never actually won anything.

first+ no one cares if you are first

Would love to see a series on the history of big clubs and how each of them got to where they’re at today @Raymar Football

Exactly... It's so heartbreaking...

GOAT! made me fall in love with Football in a new way when I was a teen

My First Football Hero. I m from Germany and i was Born 2003. He was „ Der Capitano " and He is win no big title but from Skill He was unbeliveble

Micheal Ballack. Vinne Jones with discipline and vision with a thunderbolt of a pass and shot. Legendary German player! The complete midfielder at his peak.

Not a huge football fan but many of us know ballack and Oliver kahn from Germany, And that's because they were exceptional. Just like how alot of people now know or have heard of messi and Ronaldo even though they don't watch football.

That's why I don't think the amount of trophies can never be the only stat to judge one's career. A lot of mediocre players have a great trophy cabinet being part of a great team but great players being loyal to their mediocre clubs and countries aren't respected enough.

Early 2000s, this two words mean everything to me… back in a day when everything was fine, only hearts were broken…

Very interesting story, thanks :)

At the end of his DFB career, the reason wasnt his age, why he wasnt playing in the world cup 2010. He was nominated to play for the 2010 world cup, but at the end of the season he got badly injured by Prince Boateng, brother of Jerome Boateng, that he was unable to play for the national team. So yes, he is very unlucky.

World Cup 2002, Brazil was my favorite team with Ronaldo 9 in it, but Ballack with his assists to Klose's goals made me follow his career. I was really excited when he joined my favorite Club Chelsea, for me the saddest year of His career was 2007-2008., and to make it even worse, Chelsea won the Champions just after he retired.

Guter Mensch, toller Typ, große Ikone. Alles Gute Michi!

I as a German growing up seeing all the world coup games with him didn’t know he was cursed. He’s famous here for being a great and hard working player. I miss him.

I remember in all of Winning Eleven, PES, and Football Manager game I have ever played, I always acquire him. Way harder to buy him in FM, but he always worth it. A very physical player but not lacking in technique department. Can't remember anything about him except for his time in Leverkusen and Chelsea

He was such an amazing player. I used to model my game after him and teddy sheringham (I played both cm and st but realistically should've been a CAM).

Love your content, would love to see a video on Suarez now he is near retirement

He was my favourite player at one stage. Unfortunate for some reason, Chelsea never saw the same Ballack that was at Leverkuesen and Munich.

I started my football journey watching Germany from 2002 WC, Ballack & Kahn. I really felt bad when they lost the final to Brazil. He is really unlucky however we cannot forget his capabilities a player. I wish he won Euros n WC.

My most favourite player ❤He was the reason I wore jersey no. 13 even though I used to play as a GK.