‘Schweini’ says bye to Germany
GERMANY midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger announced his retirement from international football yesterday, bringing to an end a glittering career that ended in disappointment with a semifinal exit at Euro 2016 in France.
“It wasn’t to be and I have to accept it,” the 31-year-old Manchester United player said in a statement on his Twitter account. “The historic and emotional high was winning the World Cup in 2014.”
Schweinsteiger was vice captain of the national team when Germany edged Argentina in extra-time to claim a fourth World Cup title and took over as captain when Philipp Lahm stood down after the 2014 tournament.
His seventh major tournament saw him lead Germany to the last four of the European Championships earlier this month but the 0-2 defeat to hosts France proved to be his 120th and last appearance.
His first call-up came as a 19-year-old in June 2004 and a year later, he scored the first of 24 international goals.
After playing for two junior clubs the player known universally as “Schweini” joined Bayern in 1998 as a teenager.
He played 500 matches for the most successful club in Germany, winning eight Bundesliga titles and the 2013 Champions League before joining Manchester United two years later.
His first season at Old Trafford was beset by poor form and regular injuries, and retiring from international duty may have been one way of attempting to persuade new United manager Jose Mourinho of his determination to seal a regular place.
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