Bollox to Ballack...

[Al_the drummer]

That idiot Michael Ballack has well and truly put the wind up everybody in this country by saying that he can't afford to buy a house in London so he has to rent. This is the same Micheal Ballack who takes home £125,000 per week and has a castle in Bavaria.

People in this country are up to their eyeballs in debt with mortgage repayments, increasing unemployment, immigrants coming out of every orifice and this poncy bronzed twa*t try’s to make out he's struggling like the rest of us. At the moment it would take me 20 years to earn what this clown does in a week and all he does is knock in a few penalties and ponce about the Kings road in his V12 Mercedes the rest of the time.

Who does he think he is? Greedy git, I've got no respect for him anymore.

[forzaitalia25]

when did he say that sounds abit silly he is on over 100k a week with us

[Al_the drummer]

It was all over the radio, Jon Gaunt on Talk Sport.

[Keano]

Of course he never actually said that he couldn't afford a place, he simply pointed out the fact that the cost of living in London is far greater than it was in Munich. But don't let facts get in the way of a good story.

[Timonator]

AL does it really matter what he does with the money in his private life?! If so than you must have lost lots of respect of many player in this football world!

1. I haven't heard it from his mouth so i don't believe it.
2. IF he said it, maybe he doesn't wanna buy a house because he doesn't know how long he will stay in England. I wouldn't buy a house in another country if i'd stay only 3 or 4 years there. (no matter how much money I'd have-its simply bad business)

I lose respect of someone who spits on other football player or injures another one and doesn't apologize afterwards...but not if he doesn't buy a house!


Also i think this interview was taken from Bild Zeitung, where he said that LIFE IN LONDON is more expensive than in Germany. He never said he cannot afford a house in London.

[Valmiki]

I only care what Ballack does on the football field --- particularly for the German NT. If a Russian billionaire wants to pay crazy wages, that's his business.
Ballack would be wise to stay out of the radar of the media, particularly the English media. Those guys will do anything for a story.

[Al_the drummer]

If a Russian billionaire wants to pay crazy wages, that's his business. Ballack would be wise to stay out of the radar of the media, particularly the English media. Those guys will do anything for a story.

Right on all counts Valmiki but to those of us that live and work in London and struggle day after day it's a little bit patronising.

[Valmiki]

Right on all counts Valmiki but to those of us that live and work in London and struggle day after day it's a little bit patronising.

Maybe Ballack does not have a financial brain therefore not an expert there --- judge him by his football skills Al. The Royal family is paid many pounds by taxpayers for what??? What about Tony Blair, high taxes, people on the dole, Sven still being paid 3 million a year etc. People in London have more pressing "patronising" concerns.

[Al_the drummer]

Maybe Ballack does not have a financial brain therefore not an expert there --- judge him by his football skills Al. The Royal family is paid many pounds by taxpayers for what??? What about Tony Blair, high taxes, people on the dole, Sven still being paid 3 million a year etc. People in London have more pressing "patronising" concerns.

The Royal family keeps the psudo-British identity functioning so we can make money out of ignorant American tourists that still think cockneys spend all day up chineys talking like Dick Van Dyke.

I don't speak for the people of London but just an irritated minority that think 125 grand a week is bording on insanity and corrupting the beautiful game. Ballack left Bayern for cash and glory, lets get that in perspective too. If we then say 'well he's a pro that's what modern pro's do' then we know there is f-all integrity left in football, this one isn't headline news.

[Valmiki]

The Royal family keeps the psudo-British identity functioning so we can make money out of ignorant American tourists that still think cockneys spend all day up chineys talking like Dick Van Dyke.

I don't speak for the people of London but just an irritated minority that think 125 grand a week is bording on insanity and corrupting the beautiful game. Ballack left Bayern for cash and glory, lets get that in perspective too. If we then say 'well he's a pro that's what modern pro's do' then we know there is f-all integrity left in football, this one isn't headline news.

Unfortunately that's the way of professional football these days. I saw recenlty Ashley Cole is being paid 80,000 a week --- i assume Shevchenko and others are up around the 100,000 a week range too. I agree something should be done like how USA has a salary cap in the NBA. But in the interim, Ballack and others will get the best out of the system -- not his fault for being one of the best in his profession and getting maximum value for his services.

[Schwalker]

Unfortunately that's the way of professional football these days. I saw recenlty Ashley Cole is being paid 80,000 a week --- i assume Shevchenko and others are up around the 100,000 a week range too. I agree something should be done like how USA has a salary cap in the NBA. But in the interim, Ballack and others will get the best out of the system -- not his fault for being one of the best in his profession and getting maximum value for his services.

There will never be a salary cap in European football...Trust me on this Valmiki

It´s like demanding a salary cap on the executives of the Fortune 500..:cool

[Gerry_BMG]

There will never be a salary cap in European football...Trust me on this Valmiki

It´s like demanding a salary cap on the executives of the Fortune 500..:cool

I wouldnt be so sure... in contrary to the Fortune 500 the players get their wages and not earn them by owning a company... The question will be if the managers in Spain, Italy and England will be willing to approve to a salary cap. I think Spain and Italy could be willing since they know that a lot of players would still prefer Spain or Italy as the leagues to play for... England is just hughe now, because they have the most money to spend. I do not know if a salary cap is wise... in the end football is not just sports, it is a entertainment to make people happy and not care for things like politics. I do not care if Ballack earns 100.000 a week or 300.000 a week. He has to show what he got, on that basis I will judge him... when english fans are so focused on football and define their live on how their clubs are doing and buy clothes and whatnot, I think they are hypocrites to complain about players earning to much. It is their money they pump into the system. Ok.. Chelsea and MR. Abramobitch might be an exception

[Valmiki]

Agree, I don't care how much Ballack makes. I am sure guys like Schumaccher, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and sportsmen in USA (NBA, NFL and Baseball) make much more than any football player. I don't see people complaining about them.