The style in the machine: Michael Ballack is a soccer anomaly—a dynamic, inventive German—and our World Player of the Year - soccer players

Soccer Digest, August-Sept, 2002

FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE between club and country has become an increasingly contentious issue for coaches, players, and officials. In a World Cup year, weighing the importance of the two also becomes particularly hand-wringing stuff for us as we select our annual awards.

Of course, when a major competition such as the Copa America, the European Cup, or World Cup is being contested, performances in those internationals take precedence over qualifiers and friendlies. Yet these games still represent a small percentage of a player's annual effort. And so it is the stars of Europe's top domestic leagues--and the continent's Champions League--who once again dominate our honors. Here, then, are the 2001-02 SOCCER DIGEST World All-Stars:

Player of the Year

Michael Ballack Bayer Leverkusen and Germany

Despite losing both the Bundesliga crown and in the Champions League final in the last week of European play, Bayer Leverkusen were the most pleasant surprise of the season--and most of the praise must go to their magical midfielder, Michael Ballack. The inspirational Ballack was already one of the world's elite players, but last year he had a breakout season thanks to displays of vision and skill reminiscent of the best work from Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, and Rivaldo.

In German soccer, aesthetics usually take a back seat to stereotypical efficiency, but Ballack--along with youngster Sebastian Deisler--has been an exception to that rule. The dominant Ballack enjoyed a monumental goal-scoring rate for a midfielder, scoring 17 goals in 29 Bundesliga games and adding six in Champions League play. That's especially impressive when one considers that the highest-scoring striker in Germany tallied 18 goals.

On the international stage, Ballack helped march the Germans into the World Cup with a pair of scintillating performances in the European playoffs and a team-leading six qualifying goals. Once there, he gave out assists like candy, orchestrating a German assault against Saudi Arabia and the team's lone goal against Ireland.

Only 26, Ballack is just entering the peak of his career and was rewarded for his efforts with a $14.5 million transfer to Bayern Munich. Once added to Bayern's stout defense, Ballack could be the Bavarian team's key to the trophy case.

Goalkeeper

First Team

Oliver Kahn Bayern Munich and Germany

This is perhaps the easiest selection; Kahn has been the world's best goaltender for about a half-dozen years. An imposing figure in the box, Kahn is also an excellent shot-stopper and an increasingly solid distributor. After earning the double in 2000-01, Kahn's Bayern Munich didn't win any trophies this year but were competitive in all events. The leadership of Kahn, Germany's captain, also helped his national team coalesce into one of the world's most improved sides in 2001-02.

Second Team

Jerzy Dudek Liverpool and Poland

Dudek's fortune turned within the matter of a few days in late August 2001. First, the Polish star moved from Feyenoord to Liverpool in a $7.6 million move; two days later, he helped secure his nation's first World Cup finals appearance in 15 years. For Dudek, it was the start of a tremendous year in which he solved Liverpool's long-standing goaltending woes and earned a reputation as the best shot-stopper in the Premiership.

Defenders

First Team

Robert Ayala Valencia and Argentina

One of the few Argentina players to impress at the World Cup, captain Ayala was the back line organizer and leader of his nation's potent counterattack. He played the same role with Valencia, who incredibly only allowed 27 goals in 38 games--easily the fewest in La Liga--en route to their first championship in more than 30 years.

Jens Nowotny Bayer Leverkusen and Germany

A perennial pick at sweeper, Nowotny is a tenacious tackler and a vastly improved organizer. His intelligence is now one of his best attributes and his leadership helped lift Leverkusen near the Bundesliga title and to a place in the Champions League final. Unfortunately, his May injury was likely the catalyst for his team's late-season collapse.

Javier Zanetti Inter Milan and Argentina

Speed and attacking weren't always the hallmarks of a great outside back, but thanks to Zanetti they are now almost orthodoxy. The versatile Zanetti has emerged as the prototype for the overlapping marker, terrorizing opponents with well-timed, crafty runs on the right wing for both his country and 2001-02 Serie A champs Inter Milan.

Second Team

Carles Puyol Barcelona and Spain

The ferocious Puyol, a throwback type of player, went from international novice to Spain's starting right back last year. In just his first full season as a Barcelona starter, Puyol was the top man marker on a squad that allowed fewer than one goal a game in domestic play and advanced to the semifinals of the Champions League.

Walter Samuel Roma and Argentina

A SOCCER DIGEST Second Teamer last year, Samuel continued to excel in Serie A while solidifying his spot in the heart of the Argentina back line. The rugged defender needs to improve his leadership, but at 23 he is already a physical specimen and an intelligent reader of the game. Although Roma are known for their offense, Samuel led a defense that only allowed 24 goals in 34 games.