At just 27 years old, Michael Ballack has already had a long career at midfielder playing for Chemnitzer FC, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayer Leverkusen, and Bayern Munich at various points in his tenure. He began his professional career at age 19 and is currently the captain of the Germany national football team, also playing midfielder for his club football team Chelsea FC in the English FA Premier League. Nicknamed the "Little Kaiser", Ballack is known for being a versatile player, equally strong in attack and defense and with the left or right foot. He's also regarded as one of the best and most lethal headers in the world. Despite his obvious talent, his amazing patience and unwillingness to rush a play often has him labeled as "lazy on the pitch" by spectators.

Even with his young age, Michael Ballack is already considered a veteran on the international stage. In the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifications where his team finished second, Ballack's three goals were the saving grace for Germany. He is also credited with carrying Germany through the 2004 Eurocup qualifiers. These accomplishments have earned him the German Player of the Year award on three occasions (2002, 2003, 2005). He is one of Germany's most popular sports icons of recent times, though his reputation has taken a hit with his decision to leave Bayern.