Honour for a world-class player: Michael Ballack signs the city's Golden Book
Michael Ballack signs the city of Chemnitz's Golden Book: The honour will be bestowed at tomorrow's OLDIE-MASTERS in the Arena Chemnitz, where the long-serving captain of the national team will be wearing the Chemnitz FC jersey.
"The foundation stone for Michael Ballack's global sporting career was laid here in Chemnitz," says Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig. "His footballing ability is outstanding. It is no coincidence that he is considered the most dangerous midfielder in the world. Multiple German champion and champion in the English league, three times Germany's "Footballer of the Year", 98 national matches, numerous international tournaments - his extraordinary performance impresses me just as much as it does many of his fans. What is at least as impressive: Michael Ballack has always put himself at the service of the team, which is not a matter of course in professional sport. This combination characterises great athletes. I am therefore delighted that we can now honour him with an entry in the Golden Book of his home town."
Michael Ballack started his career playing for BSG Motor "Fritz Heckert" Karl-Marx-Stadt and later for FC Karl-Marx-Stadt and Chemnitzer FC. He scored ten goals for the Himmelblauen. He completed his A-levels at the Chemnitz sports high school. In 1997, Michael Ballack moved to Kaiserslautern and later played for Bayer Leverkusen, FC Bayern Munich and Chelsea FC.