These days, Michael Ballack finds himself commentating on ESPN (USA) alongside Alexi Lalas. His words are as elegant and sharp as his playing style was. Ballack left the German scene without a trophy to his name, despite being one of the greatest midfielders to have graced the pitch. He tends to speak about Miroslav Klose, the oldest head still remaining from Germany's "Class of 2006".
Klose witnessed the revolution of German football; he saw the likes of Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker break into the team. He saw talented midfielders such as Bernd Schneider and Torsten Frings depart the scene. While this is definitely his last chance to actually lay hands on the one trophy he has always wanted, this might also be the last chance for players who have formed the spine of the team for many years.
Philipp Lahm is 30 years old. He recently extended his contract with Bayern till 2018. He is not one to overstay his welcome. Whether he will return in 2018 is doubtful. However, the possibility of his return is higher than that of his club mate, Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is set to turn 30 in August. Schweinsteiger has been hit by many injuries recently. His return in 2018 is highly doubtful.
Likewise, Per Mertesacker is 29 years old and is being replaced by faster and younger players such as Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng. Lukas Podolski is 29; he has to be satisfied with a spot on the bench these days. His days at the top level appear numbered too. These players are not the only ones who will be over 30 when 2018 rolls around. Sami Khedira and Manuel Neuer will be above 30 when the ball is kicked in Russia as well.
Mainly though, just as Bayern earned the UEFA Champions League in what was perhaps their generation's final chance in 2013, the likes of Schweinsteiger and Lahm will have to seize this chance. They have been brilliant througout their careers but come up short too often in semifinals and finals. Winning the World Cup will finally elevate them to the class of Franz Beckenbauer.
Everything seems to be ticking for Germany at the right time. Aside from the players, this might be Joachim Löw's last chance to deliver a first trophy to Germany since 1996. Germany needs this win perhaps more than the Argentines do. The Class of 2006, a gracious and wonderful lot, are losing members rapidly. This is perhaps the final chance for the remaining members to lay their hands on the trophy which has been so near, yet so far for eight long years.
