Michael Ballack Biography, Bio, Profile, pictures, photos

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Michael Ballack celebrates his double
Michael Ballack celebrates after scoring his second goal for Chelsea against Manchester United in their English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on April 26, 2008.

Michael Ballack Bio

Michael Ballack is a very smart midfielder too important for every coach he's ever had. Excellent touch on the ball. Criticized for being 'lazy' on the pitch, Michael proved that his seemingly slow gait in midfield was merely a case of the lion waiting to pounce. Owner of powerful shots from outside the area. Instrumental to both club and country, manager Rudi Völler will be counting on the attacking midfielder to set the tone for his side at FIFA World Cup in 2006.

Born in East Germany, Micheal Ballack broke into the Bundesliga at age 20 with Kaiserslautern. Clashes with then coach Otto Rehhagel prompted a 1999 transfer to Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Ballack flourished under successive Leverkusen coaches Christoph Daum and Klaus Toppmoeller. The 2001/2002 season saw Ballack at his best as he took his side to the Champions League finals before losing out to Real Madrid. With Leverkusen finishing second in the Bundesliga, Ballack's 17 club goals earned him the German Player of the Year title. His first season with FC Bayern München was a success as the squad took the league title and Ballack once again won German Player of the Year.

At 27 Ballack is already a veteran on the international stage. Finishing second behind England in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifications, Ballack's three goals over two legs against the Ukraine were the saving grace for Germany. Ballack continued his quality play in Japan / South Korea, scoring three goals including the crucial semi-final strike against South Korea. His leadership and four goals carried Germany through the 2004 Eurocup qualifications, with his side finishing first in their group.

Diego Maradona New Argentina Coach Photo Gallery Bio

Diego Maradona New Argentina Coach

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Diego Maradona gifts autographed T-shirt to Iran

Legendary Argentinean soccer player Diego Maradona bestowed an autographed T-shirt to Iran as a sign of his affection for that country.

In a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Argentina, Mohsen Baharavand, Maradona presented the T-shirt that read ""With all my affection to Iranian people".

Maradona soccer player and Argentina new coach
Former Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona controls the ball before a friendly soccer match called 'La Noche del Diego', at the National stadium in Lima

Footballer, born in Lanus, Argentina. Diego Armando Maradona became Argentina's youngest ever international in 1977, transferred to Boca Juniors for ₤1 million as a teenager, and in 1982 became the world's most expensive footballer when he joined Barcelona for 5 million. He broke the record again in 1984 when the Italian club Napoli paid ₤6-9 million for him. He captained Argentina to their second FIFA World Cup win in 1986, having eliminated England in the quarter-finals when he scored a highly controversial goal. At the height of success, his career then foundered amid accusations of drug-taking. Following a 15-month ban, he returned by popular demand, though without a club, to the World Cup side as captain in 1994, but was again suspended from the team following a positive drug test. He signed for Santos in 1995 and announced his retirement in 1997. In 2000, he developed a severe heart condition following cocaine use, subsequently moving to Cuba for two years treatment for drug abuse. In 2003, he was reunited with the son he had previously refused to recognize as his own. His health improved by 2005 when he began a new career as a television chat-show host. Most guests were drawn from the worlds of football and show business, including Zidane and Ronaldo, but also included interviews with other notable personalities such as Fidel Castro and Mike Tyson.

According to reports out of Argentina, the 'Hand of God' maestro is set to be unveiled as the new new coach of the Argentina national football team.

The news follows a meeting between Maradona and the Argentina Football Association (AFA) president, Julio Grondona, this evening in Buenos Aires.
The former Boca Juniors, Napoli and Barcelona star is now 47 years old and despite being on his death bed a few years ago, has made a quick recovery to re-appear on the national and international stage.

Sergio Batista, coach of the Argentina under-20 side, was believed to be in the frame for the position as well, but Maradona's iconic status - many believe he is the greatest footballer to grace the game - looks to have been the deciding factor in swaying the AFA's decision.

The appointment would be deemed risky given Maradona's numerous personal problems and limited experience as a coach in just two brief stints at Argentine club sides Racing Club de Avellaneda and Mandiyú de Corrientes.

MY POV: Risky? RISKY?!? Is there a strong enough word to describe the risk attributed to handing the reigns of one of the world's greatest teams to one of its most unstable icons?

While it's true that Maradona graced the footballing stage with his presence, the rampant excesses of his life tell the story of an undisciplined, immature man.

Hopefully 'El Pibe' has cleaned up his life enough to lead Argentina to the World Cup.

One thing is certain: The Argentine national team just got a whole lot more interesting!!