Emilio Ballack died in a quad bike accident aged 18 in 2021 and former Chelsea and Germany midfielder Michael has spoken out about his teenage son's passing for the first time
Michael Ballack in an interview with Sky Germany
Michael Ballack has spoken about the death of his son(Image: Sky Germany/Instagram)
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Former Chelsea and Germany midfielder Michael Ballack has emotionally spoken out on the death of his son. Emilio, aged 18, died after a quad bike accident near the family’s holiday home in Portugal back in 2021.
The teenager was the middle of Ballack’s three sons, with older brother Louis one year older and younger sibling Jordi born three years after Emilio.
In what are his first public comments on Emilio's passing, Ballack has spoken about the ‘unimaginable’ emotions he feels. During an interview spoken in his native language with Sky, titled ‘My Story’, he was asked about the impact of the loss.
Clearly emotional, Ballack took a long pause before simply saying: "Difficult." He then paused again before repeating the word.
A visibly distraught Ballack added: "You can't imagine it. You can't even describe it in words.
“It's a process of repression. Everyone deals with it differently. I can hardly talk about him at all. I'd like to say much more, but it overwhelms me emotionally.
“That's why it's a process of denial, where you try to cope through everyday life, through many things that motivate you – work, family, your other sons.
“Of course, you love your children more than anything and want to give them as much stability, warmth, and security in life as possible. That's the responsibility you bear as a parent.
“Such a loss naturally intensifies that even more. Of course, you then have greater fears. What else could happen?”
Michael Ballack won the Premier League with Chelsea
Michael Ballack won the Premier League with Chelsea(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Later in the interview, Ballack was asked how his perspective on life has changed, replying: “Life is precious. That the life we lead is absolutely privileged.
"That luck and misfortune also play a major role. Fate. You can call it what you want, but things just happen.
“Despite all the talk of fate, I naturally want to face it. That gives me strength again, this task, and at the same time, the realisation that life goes on.”
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