In the summer of 2002, Michael Ballack had numerous opportunities, with even Real Madrid showing keen interest. However, he ultimately made a different choice.
Former German national team captain Michael Ballack has disclosed that he had the option to join Real Madrid in the summer of 2002, instead of signing for FC Bayern Munich.
Ballack revealed that he had an offer from the ‘Royals’ (Real Madrid) at that time. The then 25-year-old had an outstanding season with Bayer Leverkusen, narrowly missing out on the German championship and reaching the Champions League final, which they unfortunately lost 1-2 to Real. Furthermore, Ballack led the German national team to the 2002 World Cup final, which he missed due to a yellow card suspension. Without the influential midfielder, Germany lost 0-2 to Brazil, featuring superstars Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo.
Ballack stated that he ultimately chose Bayern «for various reasons.» He added, «It was largely Uli Hoeneß who convinced me back then.» Hoeneß, now honorary president and then sporting director of FCB, was determined to bring the German international to Munich. Ballack commented, «I was still relatively young and, naturally, impressionable.» Bayern paid six million euros to Leverkusen for his transfer fee.
Besides Hoeneß’s persuasive efforts, another significant factor was Ballack’s foresight regarding the 2006 home World Cup. Leading up to the tournament, he preferred playing for Germany’s biggest club. His decision, he explained, was ultimately for Bayern rather than against Real.
Michael Ballack Could Have Left FC Bayern for FC Barcelona in 2004
Ballack remained in Munich for four years, until the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where he captained the national team to a third-place finish. With Bayern, he won the German championship three times and secured three DFB-Pokal titles. In 157 appearances for Bayern, he scored 62 goals.
In 2006, after his contract expired, the now 49-year-old consciously «didn’t go back into Uli Hoeneß’s office – because I knew he had the ability to change my mind again.» Ballack had «decided to try something different» and moved to FC Chelsea on a free transfer.
When asked if he ever regretted not accepting Real Madrid’s offer, Ballack recalled, «I knew that this chance might never come again.» He then revealed that in 2004, he also had the opportunity to move to Real’s arch-rival, FC Barcelona. «We had problems with Bayern then and were very close [to a deal] – but that didn’t work out either,» stated the 98-cap international.
At that time, Bayern had just completed a disappointing and trophy-less 2003/04 season, where Ballack and his teammates finished only as runners-up behind Werder Bremen. They were also eliminated in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals by then second-division team Alemannia Aachen, and their Champions League campaign ended in the round of 16 against Real Madrid.
Ballack’s Protégé Lennart Karl Nominated for DFB Team for the First Time: «Not a Given»
Ballack now works as a TV pundit and also advises Bayern’s highly talented Lennart Karl. The 18-year-old, who is known to aspire to play for Real Madrid one day, was recently nominated by national coach Julian Nagelsmann for the German senior national team for the first time.
«It’s not a given to be nominated at such a young age,» Ballack commented on the significant honor for his protégé. «He’s had a rapid ascent from the U17s, skipping the U19s because he adapted quickly in training, Bayern recognized his quality, and he’s backed that up with goals in the Bundesliga and Champions League.»
Karl now faces «the competition, and he has to. No matter how young you are, you need quality, and he has it, otherwise he wouldn’t be there.» The attacking gem could make his international debut on March 27 when the German team plays Switzerland in Basel. Three days later, a friendly against Ghana is scheduled in Stuttgart.
With his call-up for the March international matches, Karl’s chances of being nominated for the World Cup in the summer have also increased.
Michael Ballack’s Professional Career Milestones
| Period | Club | Appearances (Goals) |
| 1995 — 1997 | Chemnitzer FC | 51 (10 goals) |
| 1997 — 1999 | 1. FC Kaiserslautern | 57 (4 goals) |
| 1999 — 2002 / 2010 — 2012 | Bayer Leverkusen | 155 (42 goals) |
| 2002 — 2006 | FC Bayern München | 157 (62 goals) |
| 2006 — 2010 | FC Chelsea | 167 (26 goals) |