Michael Ballack (born 26 September 1976) is a German footballer, who is currently a free agent since his release from Chelsea and is the first choice captain of the German national football team, although he has been temporarily replaced by Phillip Lahm for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after Ballack missed out due to injury. He is among the top goal scorers in the history of his international team. Ballack has worn the number 13 shirt for every team he has played for except for Kaiserslautern.