The Battle For Germany’s Soul Rages On

August 18th, 2010 | by: chris |

ballack_lahm There are two things Michael Ballack doesn’t do:

i. Win tournament finals.

ii. Give up the German captaincy without a fight. Or a half-Nelson.

When Ballack went down before the World Cup, the band was handed over to that 12 year old fullback from Munich and with a good bit of success, in the process deciding he doesn’t want to give it back. This displeases Michael Ballack.

The grumbling in the press has gone on for weeks and it seems the only way to settle the matter is a steel cage match to the death, with the winner getting the band and a free Wii. Michael, like any good athlete, has already declared the winner before this landmark battle occurs, predictably crowning himself the victor.

“For me, the matter is clear,” Ballack told Soccernet. “I’m the captain of Germany and intend to take on the role again when I’m fit. I can’t wait to lead Germany into the Euro 2012 qualifiers and make a success of it. I believe in myself as the captain and think I’ve the personality to do it.

But the German public has spoken, and in resounding fashion: they want Lahm.

German sports agency SID, an AFP subsidiary, authorised a poll which saw 60.3 percent of those surveyed say Bayern Munich defender Lahm should remain captain having led Germany to third at the World Cup.

Only 26.2 percent of those polled thought Ballack, who missed the 2010 World Cup with an ankle injury, should be made captain for Germany’s first Euro 2012 qualifier against Belgium in Brussels on September 3.

It means very little, but says so very much, and leads to the theory there’s only one way this will end up: in tears.

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http://www.facebook.com/people/Isabel-Ghose/528855744 Isabel Ghose

One of those situations where it's tough to see which is the best outcome. Ballack has been probably the best player for the German National Team over the last 10 years and it would be very sad to see Ballack being forced out of the National Team like Beckham has just been. I do think Ballack has something to give to the NT, the clearest example was probably in the Spain match where I think they were missing a leader on the pitch . Lahm who is probably one of my favourite players is not very vocal on the pitch. While he does lead by example I think a captain should also be there to motivate the team on the pitch.

But obviously Ballack only has a year or two left in him, and clearly the German public see this team as the way foreward. I only hope that Ballacks retirement is his own choice rather then him being forced into it.
brentonwalters

Why does Ballack think he gets to decide? Here's more from him, totally unaware:

“Still, players can’t tell the coach where to pick them and the same applies to the captaincy. You have to respect the hierarchy and when we next meet up, I will talk the matter over with Philipp.”

That’s more than a little presumptuous, no? I am really looking forward to the day he is forced out of the national side.
fcbayernfan

Because he does, he was captain and he got injured, that's it. He is the captain.

Lahm is talking out of his ass, after Ballack, Schweinsteiger will become the new germany captain.
http://twitter.com/ArsenalOffside Arsenal Offside

Wait, Germany has a soul? Media stereotypes have led me to believe otherwise.
brentonwalters

Bullshit. That's not how it works anywhere except maybe Chelsea, and just because he's fucking Ballack doesn't make him special. The coach/manager picks the captain and can pick whoever he wants. Ballack isn't guaranteed a spot in the squad, in the starting 11, or as captain. To assume so is just indicative of the size of his ego. He won't play a major role for the team at the next World Cup; it's time to look elsewhere for leadership.
http://www.mcalcio.com Marco P.

Seems to me, the only person who actually has final say on who gets to be captain or not (namely: THE MANAGER) is keeping silent.
brentonwalters

Whose position do you think this supports? On the face of it, Ballack's I would think, but perhaps he's waiting to see how Ballack fares at Leverkusen before he makes his mind up?
Bense235

No, we actually do have souls. You messed that up. Red haired people (”Gingers”) don't have souls.
Bense235

If anything is gonna keep Ballack out of the NT, it'll be Ballack. If he thinks he's the greatest thing since sliced bread, scrap him. He did a good job in the past and would be a useful addition to the team, but he ain't getting younger.