Ballack's value had been proved four years ago in the Korea/Japan World Cup where the then rising star's powerful play and scoring touch lifted "hopeless" Germany to the final against most expectations. He scored the winner in the quarterfinal against the United States and then netted the only goal in Germany's semifinal win over South Korea, the incredible dark horse in that tournament.

    However, Ballack was close to tears as suspension ruled him out of the final against Brazil as he received a yellow card while stopping a dangerous South Korean attack with a desperate tackle. It was his second yellow resulting in a suspension for next match automatically.

    It was Ballack that sent Germany to the final but he sacrificed himself. He had to sit and watch Brazil's 2-0 win over Germany in the final.

    "I'm no hero," Ballack said at that time. "Many players would have done what I did. I am disappointed but there is nothing I can do."

    Now, Ballack, 29, comes again with more shinning goals, experience and confidence accumulated in four years. The playmaker has worn Germany captain's armband under coach Juergen Klinsmann, which was on star goalkeeper Oliver Kahn's arm four years ago. But what Ballack really needs is a chance of redemption in the final on homeland.

    After spells with Chemnitzer FC, FC Kaiserslautern and Bayer Leverkusen, Ballack arrived at record German championship winners Bayern Munich in 2002 after the World Cup. In 2004/05 season, Ballack was instrumental in Bayern winning the league and cup double. His outstanding endeavors were recognized with his third successive player of the year award, leaving the midfielder just one behind the 'Kaiser' Franz Beckenbauer, who earned the accolade on four occasions.

    Although he is nominally a defensive midfielder, Ballack had 43 goals in 105 Bundesliga games for Bayern and 30 goals in 63 games for Germany. He has a nearly perfect shooting technique with both feet and is tremendously dangerous in the air.

    "Ballack was brilliant at the Confederations Cup in 2005 in Germany," said Klinsmann, adding," He has the potential to take the tournament by the scruff of the neck like Lothar Matthaus in 1990 or Zinedine Zidane in 1998."

    Matthaus, capped a record 150 times, helped West Germany win the World Cup in 1990 while Zidane headed in two goals as hosts France crushed hot favorites Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 final.

    Ballack may not have the individual trickery of Zidane or the great physical strength of Matthaus but his goal scoring record is one a striker would be proud of. That is why the English Premier League giant Chelsea pursued him.

    Ballack has turned down a four-year extension of his contract reportedly worth 44.6 million US dollars with Bayern and will leave Germany for England after this year's World Cup. Obviously, Ballack will earn more money with Chelsea. But a world class player wants more than that. He needs to prove himself outside Germany. He needs more achievements in the European arena, especially in the Champions League.

    Now, the World Cup trophy is all in Ballack's mind. He is eager to leave Germany with a World Cup winner's medal around his neck. But he must pay more attention to his weakness, fierce tackling, which can draw yellow or red cards.

    The German captain's motto has always been: "Don't take everything so seriously." Although with the pressure on for his side to lift their fourth FIFA World Cup title, after success in 1954, 1974 and 1990, his philosophy on life could be seriously put to the test this summer. Enditem