Germany captain Michael Ballack has been named Bundesliga player of the season for the third time in four years in Kicker magazine’s poll of sports journalists.
The midfielder polled 516 votes, ahead of Cologne striker Lukas Podolski (103) and Hertha Berlin’s Brazilian midfielder Marcelinho (99).
Ballack was also voted best player in 2002 and 2003.
Bayern’s Felix Magath won the coach’s award, with 433 votes, ahead of Mainz 05’s Juergen Klopp, Schalke 04’s Ralf Rangnick and German national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
