Michael Ballack was a powerful, all-action German midfielder and one of the leading players of his time, combining physical presence with an outstanding eye for goal from deep. He rose to prominence at Bayer Leverkusen before winning honours with Bayern Munich and later starring for Chelsea.
A commanding captain of the national team, he carried Germany to a World Cup final and remained a fixture at major tournaments. Often the man to score decisive goals, he was noted, too, for the near-misses of a career that came agonisingly close to the sport’s greatest prizes.