Ballack’s Lucky Number 13

Although considered an unlucky number for some, Michael Ballack has worn the number 13 on his back for every team he’s played for except one.

Ballack was very young when he first played soccer. He first joined Chemnitz in 1995 to kick off his professional career and then Kaiserslautern. With Bayer Leverkusen, the team only received three runner-up positions in 2002. However painful, his experience with the team as well as his important goals in Germany’s World Cup campaign was considered his turning point in which he gained everyone’s attention. Ballack then transferred to Bayern Munich. With four seasons with the club, Ballack won three Bundesliga titles. Ballack then transferred to Chelsea in 2006 as a free transfer and ignoring rumored interests of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Internazionale and A.C. Milan.

Ballack first joined Germany national team in 1996 with the U21 squad. His first appearance for the nation’s senior team was as a sub in 1999. He played at the 2002 World Cup but was suspended during Germany’s loss in the finals to Brazil. Ballack was trusted to replace Oliver Kahn as team captain in 2004. Ballack joined the team in the 2006 World Cup but was plagued with injuries. Ballack returned to play in a 2008 friendly match against Australia, and in the 2008 UEFA Euro Championships. Germany went on to the finals but lost to Spain.

In the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Ballack has scored four goals. Records show that since June 2005, Germany has never lost a game when he scored. He is known to be a consistent player for the national team. However, he has been criticized to choke in important Champions League games. With South Africa coming, can Ballack shake off this big-game bad luck?