Michael Ballack has scored more than 40 times for Germany in nearing 100 internationals and, when Ballack scores, Germany do not lose.

He began his career playing for Chemnitz but soon moved on to first Kaiserslautern, where he won his first Bundesliga title, and then Bayer Leverkusen where he made his reputation as a goal-scoring attacking midfielder. 2002 saw Ballack, and Kaiserslautern, lose the Bundesliga title in the finals games, the German Cup final and the UEFA Champions League final. Ballack also missed the 2002 World Cup final, which Germany lost, through suspension. However, Ballack did sign for German giants Bayern Munich that summer.

 

This move heralded a golden period of success for Ballack as Munich won three league and cup doubles in four seasons before moving to Chelsea where won the League Cup in 2007 and won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 2010.

1999 saw Ballack play in his first German international and his first goal came in a World Cup qualifier in 2001. His first tournament experience came in Euro 2000 and he has played in every international tournament since, taking over as German captain following Euro 2004, and remaining a stalwart.