It’s been an amazingly difficult end to a very long season for the Little Kaiser, one that saw his start to Chelsea’s Premiership campaign derailed early due to injury.

After undergoing an ankle surgery that took place in Munich last April 28th, 2007, Ballack was subsequently left of Chelsea’s FA Cup Final (which Chelsea won 1-nil through a Drogba goal in overtime) as well as their Champions League Qualifier Roster and was a major doubt, although he recovered in time for the February Champions Roster deadline.

The season ended on a low note for Ballack as Chelsea finished runners up in both Premiership and Uefa Champions League to Manchester United, thus completing a Treble horror for Chelsea and Ballack.

Just when you thought Ballack would have the chance to redeem himself and his trophy cabinet on the International Stage (after missing out on the Finals of the 2002 World Cup due to Suspension and taking third place at the 2006 World Cup), it was not to be even though Ballack had recovered in time from a calf injury many thought would keep him out of the 2008 Euro Finals against Spain, falling 1-nil.