Exclusive interview with Michael Ballack, part 2

Wednesday, 2008-02-06

Exclusive interview with Michael Ballack, part 2

Webteam: How do you stay in touch with home? For instance, do you use the internet more often than before because you want to learn about what's going on in Germany?

Michael Ballack: Not more often than before, no. We can watch German television and buy German newspapers. What might happen is that I can't find a particular paper, then I'll read this edition online.

Webteam: And what about your own homepage?

Michael Ballack: Oh, I visit that a couple of times per week. After all, I want to know what people are thinking. It's always exciting to read the forum or the guestbook. Sometimes there's criticism voiced, which I think is good, actually, because everyone is entitled to an opinion and should make it heard. And then others will take the floor and defend me. I think that's very interesting.

Webteam: On the occasion of your comeback you said that the encouraging postings in the guestbook were a great help.

Michael Ballack: That really gave me additional motivation. After all, the support of the fans is particularly important during difficult times. It's good to realise that people don't forget you even when you're sidelined for a longer period of time.

Webteam: We've been talking only about yourself so far, but you have taken a family with you to England, and for them this was a big change. Has the family settled down now?

Michael Ballack: Oh yes, my family feels very comfortable here. The two older boys, for example, go to an English school, not to a bilingual one for foreigners. My family is now at home here.

Webteam: Do you still follow the tourist routine, such as going to Madame Tussauds and the Tower and so on?

Michael Ballack: We haven't yet been to the wax museum. That is, I have been there before, together with the Bayern squad. But we do go for trips and try to include the sights in the planning. For example, there are very nice restaurants near Tower Bridge, at the Thames. So you can go out to eat and at the same time see a bit of the city.

Webteam: And what about the numerous sporting events in London? To name just one, have you been to the Wimbledon tennis tournament last year?

Michael Ballack: No, I haven't been to see the tennis in Wimbledon. I might do it this year. The last really big event which I attended was the so-called "Race of Champions" at the new Wembley Stadium, the week before christmas. That's a spectacular motorsport event which is held every year. Michael Schumacher was racing, David Coulthard and many other famous drivers.

Webteam: At the Wembley Stadium? Where you're going to play the Carling Cup final?

Michael Ballack: The cars weren't racing on the pitch, obviously, but on a tarmac track. When we'll be lining up there, the playing surface is going to be in a top condition.

Webteam: Thanks a lot for the conversation, Michael - and all the best for 2008, both at your club and with the national team!


Source, official website of Michael Ballack:
http://www.michael-ballack.com/?103A0A2A100A0A9497