Ballack: The midfield maestro

New Delhi: Michael Ballack is one of the few German players that the experts unanimously believe to be world class.

Germany's hopes for a fourth FIFA World Cup win rest largely on his shoulders.

Ballack has recently joined the Premiership champions Chelsea FC after his four-year stint with Bayern Munich.

Ballack had helped Bayern Munich to three league titles during his four years at the club.

The Chemnitz-born star is known to come under extreme scrutiny every time he takes to the field.

When he has an outstanding game, then you have seen the real Michael Ballack.

If he plays well, the reports generally say ‘could do better’. If he is average, the same questions always appear: ‘What was wrong with Ballack today?’ If Oliver Kahn ships too many goals, Ballack was playing too offensively.

Ballack’s problem is that he can do everything and do it very well. And woes betide him if he does not display his full range of skills to the public in every game he plays.

It is the age-old problem, you take your home-grown talents for granted.

Abroad, Ballack is recognised, respected and feared. In Germany, popular opinion is divided. And yet not only has the number 13 become German captain under Jurgen Klinsmann, he has long established himself as the undisputed leader of the team.

However, one thing everybody can agree on is that Germany will only play a prominent part in their home FIFA World Cup if their midfield maestro is in top form.

Ballack has consistently excelled in a German shirt. His performances at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan were exemplary, leading his team into the final almost single-handedly.

He was responsible for the wins against USA in the quarter-final and Korea Republic in the semi-final.

And then disaster struck for the German team, Ballack was forced to commit a tactical foul in the closing stages against the Koreans, was shown a yellow card and missed the final against Brazil.

The laid-back German captain’s motto has always been, Don’t take everything so seriously.

Although with the pressure on for his side to lift their fourth FIFA World Cup title his philosophy on life could be seriously put to the test this summer.