Who Are Ya? (World Cup 2002)
Michael Ballack
One of the World’s most underrated players in my opinion, Ballack truly had an incredible year in 2002, helping his national side get all the way through to the final of the World Cup, and had he not been suspended for the final, it may well have been a different story despite R9’s dominance. Along with this, his work with Bayer Leverkusen in the 2001-2002 campaign became labelled the “Treble Horror”, as the gave up a lead at the top of the Bundesliga, lost the Champions League final and lost the DFB-Pokal. 4 big losses, which had it been reversed, could have seen Ballack receive the Worldwide commendations that his performances and career deserved.
Personally, I don’t remember too much of him in the 2002 World Cup, as I was obsessed with the Brazil side primarily, however, looking back at a stunning career, he really made such a huge contribution for his national side in this tournament.