Ballack: Germany's biggest hope

Frankfurt: Michael Ballack is preparing to leave Germany, and there would be no better way to depart than with a World Cup winner's medal around his neck.

For that to happen, Ballack needs to get a second chance to play in a World Cup final, the biggest game in any player's career.

If any player needs extra motivation for a World Cup, Ballack certainly has a special reason to get pumped up _ apart from the being the captain of the home team.

The midfield star's powerful play and scoring knack of scoring helped Germany reach the final against most expectations in 2002. He scored the winning goal in the quarterfinals against the United States, then came through again by scoring the only goal in Germany's semifinal win over South Korea.

The goal came only minutes after Ballack had eliminated himself from participating in the final. He sacrificed for the team; stopping a dangerous South Korean attack with a desperate tackle he knew would result in a yellow card. It was his second yellow and Ballack was suspended for the final, having to watch Brazil beat Germany 2-0.

Ballack finished the tournament with three goals and went home to change teams, going from Bayer Leverkusen to Bayern Munich.

This time, Ballack is again changing clubs after the World Cup, leaving Bayern and apparently going to Chelsea, a move either he or Chelsea have to yet officially confirm.

His imminent departure from the Bundesliga powerhouse has been on less than friendly terms, despite his contributions through the years. Bayern is one the verge of completing its third domestic double in four years since Ballack's arrival.

Ballack turned down a four-year extension of his contract reportedly worth US$44.6 million and the relationship began to sour. Bayern's general manager Uli Hoeness said Ballack was only interested in earning more money.

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After Bayern's 1-0 win in the German Cup final, club president Franz Beckenbauer had several stinging comments on live television about the Germany captain.

"He's already resting for Chelsea. When someone trots around the field as he, that's got little to do with soccer. He's not even trying at all anymore. I was waiting for him to get substituted. I was wondering often whether he was playing at all. But that's been his way in the past few weeks."

Apart from the number of titles, goals also speak of Ballack's value for Bayern, and Germany. In 105 Bundesliga games for Bayern, he has scored 43 goals.

Although he is nominally a defensive midfielder, he has 30 goals in 63 games for Germany.

Ballack has a nearly perfect shooting technique with both feet and is tremendously dangerous in the air.

Under coach Juergen Klinsmann, he has been the key player and wears the captain's armband.

His only weakness is late, often fierce tackling, which can draw yellow cards, as he so painfully learned in 2002.