'Little Kaiser'

Germany's relies on Ballack for inspiration, goalscoring

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- The World Cup could be the pinnacle of Michael Ballack's unlikely chase of four titles this summer.

The 25-year-old midfielder is arguably Germany's top player at the moment and one of the main reasons why Bayer Leverkusen is chasing three titles this season -- its first Bundesliga crown, the German Cup and the Champions Cup.

Ballack is also the main reason Germany is at the World Cup at all, having led the team with six goals in qualifying. Three of them came in the playoff tie against Ukraine that clinched Germany's place in the finals.

Now, Ballack's job is to take Germany beyond the quarterfinals, which proved the end station for German hopes in the last two World Cups. If the three-time champion is to restore some of its past glory as well as pride, it will have to rely on Ballack's midfield leadership and his uncanny goalscoring proficiency.

"He has a chance to be the best German player ever. I've played against Beckenbauer, Guenter Netzer and Wolfgang Overath and you name them, but Ballack is the most complete player," said Ballack's club coach Klaus Toppmoeller.

Leverkusen manager Reiner Calmund dubbed Ballack, with his elegant playing style, the "Little Kaiser" because his gait and movement bore some resemblance to "Kaiser" Franz Beckenbauer.

That's a lot of praise for a player who became popular only after his qualifying heroics. His laid-back attitude on and off the field, often mistaken for arrogance, irritated many of his countrymen.

There was something about Ballack's casual demeanor on the pitch, his male model looks, the way his jersey seemed to remain spotless, that just got on his countrymen's nerves.

"I can't help it -- I was just born with that style," said Ballack, a product of the old East German talent-spotting program.

"I've always been criticized but I can live with it. I've played well before but the difference now is I'm consistent, that's the secret.

"I think it's just maturity, experience you get after years of playing in the Bundesliga, Champions League and national team," Ballack said of what has become his breakthrough season.

Of four possible titles, the World Cup "is the one that will be most difficult to achieve," said Ballack, who will become father for the second time in September.

His remarkable season has helped Leverkusen fans forget that when he comes back from the World Cup, Ballack will be wearing different colors -- that of arch Bundesliga rival Bayern Munich.

Ballack expected jeers from the fans but he has been spared.

"I think the fans see that I am really fighting for the title," he said.

 

Related information
Stories
Saudi Arabia needs miracle to advance at Cup Keane bids to make mark on international stage Irish coach relies on Keanes, team balance Cameroon's Mboma vows to fill Milla's shoes Cameroon gears up for fifth World Cup attempt Kahn is hard to impress -- even by World Cup Revamped Germany could again be a power Japan village awaits adopted team -- Cameroon
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.