The Germany captain had a long and bitter history with decisive matches, started back in 2002, when he was still playing for Bayer Leverkusen.

Leverkusen needed only a draw in the last game of the Bundesliga but Ballack, who was making his last appearance before moving to Bayern Munich, converted the ball into his own net and denied his side a precious title.

The instrumental midfielder suffered another setback later in the same season as Leverkusen lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid thanks to a miraculous goal from Zinedine Zidane.

In the same year, Ballack could have ended the jinx as Germany reached the World Cup final but he missed the game because of suspension.

Finals' ghosts revisited Ballack on three occasions in 2008.

His club, Chelsea, lost the Premiership title to Manchester United in the last matchday before failing to win the Champions League title later after defeat on penalties to the same side.

And Germany's defeat to Spain the EURO 2008 finals came only to wrap up Ballack's misery.