Michael Ballack , one of the strongest midfielders of all time, was operated on to remove a tumor in his back. The intervention was successful.
According to reports from the German newspaper Bild, Michael Ballack (43) was operated on to remove a tumor present near the spinal cord.
The former footballer would have discovered the tumor a little over a month ago. According to what Bild continues, the surgery would have succeeded perfectly but Ballack would now be awaited by a long and difficult convalescence.
Considered one of the best German footballers of his generation, was defined by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as "the most prolific midfielder in the world".
Nicknamed Der Capitano at home, Ballack was the main German sports icon of the 2000s, on a par with Michael Schumacher, as well as an icon, symbol, model, for many Germans.
Even for Chancellor Angela Merkel who, to explain Germany's economic rebirth, declared «I am Ballack».
In March 2004 he was included by Pelé in the FIFA 100 (the special ranking that includes the best footballers in the world of all time still alive).
He is often called the second Eternal , due to the multitude of second places collected with his clubs and with the national team.
With clubs, Ballack has won 14 trophies. The former midfielder has won five league titles (4 in Germany and one in England) but has never managed to triumph in the European cups (sources Bild and Wikipedia ).
Source: Blitz Quotidiano