Ross420
Dec 4 2003, 04:25 PM
So many negative stories about Footballers these days, how nice to see someone conduct themselves with a bit of class
Ballack visits fan club in Bodenmais
He is a star, a world-class football player. But he is also still one who loves the gleam in childrens’ eyes, who doesn’t turn down autograph requests and who answers all the questions: Michael Ballack, football player of Bayern Munich and on Sunday a guest of a Bayern fan club in Bodenmais. Casually dressed, always smiling and totally relaxed was how he presented himself to a couple of hundred fans.
There was not a single seat left inside Franzl’s Café, Grill und Weinstube, and in front of the pub there were more fans queuing up. What they saw was a down-to-earth star. No sign of arrogance, on the contrary. Every autograph request was fulfilled, if necessary a snap-shot with the star was taken twice and all questions were answered by Bayern’s number 13.
In the chat, which was presented by the fan club’s secretary Georg Weikl, Ballack vehemently denied transfer rumours. “I have big goals with FC Bayern. We have a great team and I like living in Munich,” said Ballack. But he admitted that things change quickly in football. Still, he hasn’t wasted any thoughts of leaving the club prematurely. With Bayern, so Ballack, he wants to fulfil his “greatest dream”, namely winning the Champions League.
The young fans wanted to know everything from their idol. “Do you drink beer?” – “No, a Weiss Beer sometimes,” answered Ballack with a smile on his face. His first toy was a football, “and I couldn’t get away from it ever since.” And to the little boy in a number 13 Bayern shirt sitting next to him, who bore all the commotion calmly, he said: “School and a good education are and remain the most important things.”
An autograph of the midfield start was the most sought-after item on Sunday afternoon. On shirts, caps, pictures, autograph cards or footballs – Ballack’s signature was welcomed everywhere. The people of Bodenmais of course also had some presents for him. From the chairman of the fan club, Marcello Di Prospero, he was given a wine carafe with glasses in a Bayern design. And the fan club also named Michael Ballack as a honorary member. “It’s not Christmas yet, is it?” asked Ballack quoting one of his president Franz Beckenbauer’s famous advertising slogans. And Ballack returned the club’s hospitality with 200 free tickets for the crucial Champions League game against RSC Anderlecht.
But it wasn’t only a special day for the fan club. The mayor of Bodenmais, Fritz Wühr, called Ballack a “personality of football.” And all who had the pleasure of meeting the German international in person know now: Michael Ballack is not only a great one on the pitch, the father of two has also shown class dealing with his fans.
Ballack visits fan club in Bodenmais
He is a star, a world-class football player. But he is also still one who loves the gleam in childrens’ eyes, who doesn’t turn down autograph requests and who answers all the questions: Michael Ballack, football player of Bayern Munich and on Sunday a guest of a Bayern fan club in Bodenmais. Casually dressed, always smiling and totally relaxed was how he presented himself to a couple of hundred fans.
There was not a single seat left inside Franzl’s Café, Grill und Weinstube, and in front of the pub there were more fans queuing up. What they saw was a down-to-earth star. No sign of arrogance, on the contrary. Every autograph request was fulfilled, if necessary a snap-shot with the star was taken twice and all questions were answered by Bayern’s number 13.
In the chat, which was presented by the fan club’s secretary Georg Weikl, Ballack vehemently denied transfer rumours. “I have big goals with FC Bayern. We have a great team and I like living in Munich,” said Ballack. But he admitted that things change quickly in football. Still, he hasn’t wasted any thoughts of leaving the club prematurely. With Bayern, so Ballack, he wants to fulfil his “greatest dream”, namely winning the Champions League.
The young fans wanted to know everything from their idol. “Do you drink beer?” – “No, a Weiss Beer sometimes,” answered Ballack with a smile on his face. His first toy was a football, “and I couldn’t get away from it ever since.” And to the little boy in a number 13 Bayern shirt sitting next to him, who bore all the commotion calmly, he said: “School and a good education are and remain the most important things.”
An autograph of the midfield start was the most sought-after item on Sunday afternoon. On shirts, caps, pictures, autograph cards or footballs – Ballack’s signature was welcomed everywhere. The people of Bodenmais of course also had some presents for him. From the chairman of the fan club, Marcello Di Prospero, he was given a wine carafe with glasses in a Bayern design. And the fan club also named Michael Ballack as a honorary member. “It’s not Christmas yet, is it?” asked Ballack quoting one of his president Franz Beckenbauer’s famous advertising slogans. And Ballack returned the club’s hospitality with 200 free tickets for the crucial Champions League game against RSC Anderlecht.
But it wasn’t only a special day for the fan club. The mayor of Bodenmais, Fritz Wühr, called Ballack a “personality of football.” And all who had the pleasure of meeting the German international in person know now: Michael Ballack is not only a great one on the pitch, the father of two has also shown class dealing with his fans.