Bastian Schweinsteiger - The true successor to Michael Ballack

For a moment, fans feared that Schweinsteiger would have to suffer the same fate as Michael Ballack did by losing in all major finals. But super sub Mario Gotze landed the killer blow that finally ended Germany’s 24 year drought for a world title.

Since making his debut ten years ago, the midfield maestro has come a long way. With age he has matured and has become one of the most complete midfielders of this generation. Despite starting as a winger, over the years he has taken a more central position on the pitch and has been bossing the midfield.

Similar traits

Ballack and Schweini have so much in common. Their passing, vision, ball control, long rangers and accuracy in set pieces are from the top draw. The trait that would probably separate them would be the fact that Schweinsteiger is also a pretty good dribbler, a facet which Ballack didn’t add to his game, but to compensate, he had the knack to find the back of the net regularly being a midfielder and was brilliant with freekicks.

Schweini may not have been the official captain of the team unlike Ballack, but his coach Joachim Loew once called him the ‘brain of the national side’. He is though the official vice captain of Bayern Munich. Both have won numerous league titles in their careers and have made it to the FIFA all star team of the tournament in different editions.

It was the during the 2010 World Cup, Schweini actually stepped into Ballack’s shoes. The entire nation was shocked when Kevin Prince Boateng took Ballack out of the show piece event and they needed a leader to step up in midfield. Joachim Loew turned to Germany’s number 7 and he paired up with Khedira to form a successful partnership.

The mutual respect and admiration they share for each other was well evident during that world cup when the Bavarian came out and publicly called Ballack ‘his captain’ when Philipp Lahm had refused to return the armband post the tournament.

Ballack returned the favour by praising Schweini’s presence, personality, and his performances for both club and country.

Their commitment levels are to be commended as well as they are both known to give everything for the team on the pitch. They have both put their bodies on the line in crunch situations for the team’s cause. Both have shed blood on the pitch on the biggest nights of their respective international careers and still managed to pull through.

Schweini literally threw himself on the pitch during the final by winning numerous challenges to stop Argentina at all costs and one remembers Ballack’s selflessness when he made a crucial tackle that ruled him out of the 2002 final.

Emulates his predecessor statistically

It’s tough to compare the two and come out with an answer for ‘who is better than the other’, as their success levels can be defined based on a number of factors, but statistically, Schweini has edged out Ballack already.

Ballack ended up with 98 appearances for Germany, whereas Schweinsteiger has already made 108. They both were part of the team that agonisingly finished 3rd in the 2006 home World cup and ended up second best in Euro 2008. Schweini finished runners up again in Euro 2012 whereas Ballack for his part had suffered the same fate in the 2002 World cup finals. The former German Captain lost in the Champions League final twice without ever winning it and when Schweini missed a penalty that cost Bayern the title against Chelsea, he endured a similar fate.

But the tables were turned finally as he won the title the very next year and has rounded off an excellent 12 month period by winning the ultimate prize in Brazil. He is well respected all over the world by fellow footballers and coaches as he also has a very clean image on and off the pitch. Repeatedly during the course of the tournament he has been seen consoling his opponents before joining his teammates for celebrations.

At 29 years of age, the Bavarian will be expected to lead Germany’s title defence in 2018 and the Euros before that in 2016. But for now, it’s time to bask in the glory as Germany have undergone a successful transition from the era of Lothar Matthaus to Michael Ballack and now to Bastian Schweinsteiger.