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| May 14, 2006 | Sunday | Rabi-us-Sani 15, 1427 |
Ballack, Lizarazu to quit Bundesliga
MUNICH, May 13: Two of the finest players to grace the Bundesliga in recent years, Michael Ballack and Bixente Lizarazu, ended their love affair with the German top-flight on Saturday when they played their final game for German champions Bayern Munich.
Ballack signed off with a goal in the 3-3 draw with Borussia Dortmund in the final game of the season and is now set for pastures new.
In over 200 Bundesliga appearances spread across a decade, Ballack has won every prize in German football with the 1998 league title at
Kaiserslautern followed by three league and cup doubles at Bayern.
Ballack also guided Bayer Leverkusen to the 2002 Champions League final where they lost 2-1 to Real Madrid.
Former France international Lizarazu is another great to leave German football after deciding to hang up his boots at the age of 36.
In nine successful years at Bayern Lizarazu won six German titles, five German cups and the 2001 Champions League.
The left back also won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European championship with France. “I am one of the most successful players in the world and that makes me happy and very proud,” Lizarazu said in Kicker magazine.—AFP
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