MICHAEL BALLACK’s long-term girlfriend Natacha Tannous has paid tribute to the former Chelsea star’s late son, Emilio.
Emilio tragically passed away on Thursday after being crushed by a quad-bike near the family’s home in Portugal.
Firefighters pulled the teenager from the wreckage but the medical team were unable to revive him.
The Ballack family have yet to publicly speak on Emilo’s passing, although Tannous took to social media on Sunday to share a stream of photos and pay tribute to the 18-year-old.
She wrote: “When I first met you, you were 12. You’ve been a teenager out of the ordinary…so empathetic, compassionate, smart, kind-hearted, clever, good at anything (golf, basketball, football).
“You had an incredible personality, that’s why you were always popular.
“You were so charming, you’d convince me to play verstecken 4 times/day, or the nicht lachen game, where I’d always lose to you.
“I am still laughing at stories from the expertise summer camp.
“You simply made everyone laugh and brought a smile on anyone’s face.
“I have never in my life seen a teenager who would never fight, and always try to help people; you would always stand in the middle and act like a pacificator. You were incredible.
“Going through our WhatsApps, I have uncontrollable tears, at all these funny cherished moments; and even those maths exercises or humanities essays, because you wanted to be good at everything, you were so driven & always pushed yourself. Being average was out of the question for you.
You simply made everyone laugh and brought a smile on anyone’s face
An excerpt of Natacha Tannous’ Instagram tribute to Emilio Ballack
“I was convinced you’d be successful at whatever you would endeavour.
“Which you have. Your entire life. But it was just too short. Stolen from you.
“There are no words to describe this tragedy. None. It is such a horrible nightmare that one wishes to wake up from.
“You were a ray of sunshine, and you left?! How is that even fair?
“The only consolation is that I feel so blessed that I have met you and I was lucky enough to have spent so much time with you, for nearly 5 years.
“But it makes it just as heartbreaking and devastating…
“In hindsight, should have allowed Nutella for breakfast, should have allowed to stay up playing video games before exams, should have allowed Haribos in the bedroom.
“Why try to be good when it now seems all so futile…
“You have lived your youth like an angel, and you left as one. I pray for you #Emilio.
“My thoughts are with your dad, Louis& Jordi, Oma& Opa and family on both Michael and Simone’s side in this extremely hard and inconsolable moment.
“There are no comforting words. And never will be.
“Emilio, you have touched each of us forever. You now have left an unhealable scar on everybody’s hearts. On mine eternally. “
Emilio’s tragic passing came not long after he graduated from the Munich International School in Berg.
Condolences have poured in from all over the world for Ballack, including from his former Blues team-mate John Terry.
The former Chelsea skipper wrote on Instagram: ‘Words can’t describe how heartbroken I am. RIP Emilio.
“Bally, sending you all our love and condolences.”
Chelsea tweeted: “Everybody associated with Chelsea Football Club is shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Emilio Ballack at the terribly young age of 18.
“All our thoughts are with his father Michael and his family at this sad time.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
