International Football - Global Speakers Bureau

Retired award-winning German footballer, Michael Ballack is one of the top goalscorers in the history of the German national team. Known best for his dominating presence in midfield along with his powerful shot, physical strength and passing range. Making his professional debut in 1995 following his previous career as a youth at Chemnitz, which was his local team. By 1996 he had already made his debut for Germany's Under-21 side which led to his transfer to FC Kaiserslautern in 1997 where he won his first major honour within the first season, the Bundesliga. During the 1998 and 1999 season Michael had earned his first senior national cap for Germany and became a first-team regular.

By 1999 Michael was a popular well established player who was brought by Bayer Leverkusen for €4.1 million. As a crucial member of the team which finished runner up in the DFB-Pokal, Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League during the 2001-02 season. 2002 was also the year Germany lost to Brazil in the World Cup, however Michaels performance carried the team scoring consecutive game-winning goals in the quarter-final and semi-final. After a €12.9 million move to FC Bayern Munich where he scored fifty eight goals between 2002 and 2006 he eventually joined Premier League club Chelsea. He helped take Chelsea to their first ever Champions League final and win the FA Cup in 2009 and 2010.

Michael has had an impressive football career to say the least and was selected by Pelé as one of FIFA’s 125 Greatest Living Players. He was named the UEFA Club Midfielder Of The Year in 2002 and won the German Footballer of the Year award three times. An international phenomenon, Michael has played alongside two FIFA World Cups and in three UEFA European Football Championships. Michael makes for one of the best sports speakers on the circuit and can offer insights into 'behind the scenes' football. Whether it's at an award ceremony or sporting function the legendary footballer can discuss a huge range of topics from high performance and maximising success to leadership and teamwork, he is a huge inspiration in the sporting world.

Known for his versatility on the pitch, Rivaldo has played football for the top teams in the world as an attacking midfielder and striker. With exceptional accuracy when handling the ball with both feet, Rivaldo has an unrivalled talent, that has enabled him the prolific career he has had for the past 20 years. Now, he is available to hire as an experienced after dinner speaker. Starting life in the favelas of Brazil, Rivaldo is an inspiration to many as he followed his dreams to overcome hardship and create a lucrative career for himself. Given his first opportunity for professional play by Paulistano Futebol Clube in 1989, Rivaldo went from strength to strength, playing for Santa Cruz, Palmeiras and Deportivo before settling at Barcelona Football Club in 1997.

Five years at Barcelona saw Rivaldo accomplish some of his greatest career highlights. As the teams overall ninth highest ever goalscorer, Rivaldo was pivotal in Barcelona’s winning of two La Liga championships in 1998 and 1999 as well as the 1998 Copa del Rey. Making 157 appearances for the team and 130 goals, he is said to have scored the greatest hat-trick in history, in the final 60 seconds of the Championship qualifier against Valencia. After leaving Barcelona in 2002, Rivaldo played the rest of his professional career at top clubs including: Milan, Bunyodkor and Sao Paulo. Making waves internationally, Rivaldo represented Brazil on 74 occasions and scored 35 goals. Helping his country to reach two World Cup finals, winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup alongside Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, and the 1999 Copa America, Rivaldo is their seventh highest goal scorer ever. Due to his impressive playing, he was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in 1998 and 2002.

In addition to his fantastic team results, Rivaldo has been recognised worldwide for his exceptional talent. Listed in the FIFA 100, a group of the best living footballers, Rivaldo made an impact internationally and was named as the FIFA World Player of the Year and the World Soccer Player of the Year, both in 1999. In the same year, he was awarded the FIFA Top Goalscorer of the Year and the Player of the Tournament for Copa America, a testament to his hard work. An exceptional player, Rivaldo has been enchanting audiences with stories from his playing days, since his retirement. Aside from discussing teamwork, international success and professional sporting, Rivaldo also inspires a room with his incredible journey to success.