Bastian Schweinsteiger Retires from International Football
Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect.
Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has announced his retirement from international duty with immediate effect.
The Germany star won his 120th cap in Germany’s 2-0 defeat to France in the semi-finals of the European Championship.
The former Bayern Munich favourite was a key part of the Germany team which won the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
Schweinsteiger released the news of his decision on his official social media account.
Vielen Dank an alle für die tolle Zeit! #DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/kNrLa7eDvE
— Bastian Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) July 29, 2016
“I have asked Joachim Low in the future to no longer consider me for the national team,” Schweinsteiger stated.
“My thanks go to the fans, the team, the DFB [German Football Association], the coaches and the Germany national team.
“I was able to run out 120 times for my country and experience moments which were indescribably beautiful and successful.
“Jogi Low knew how much Euro 2016 in France meant to me because I desperately wanted to win this title, which we have not been able to bring back to Germany since 1996. It wasn’t to be and I have to accept this.
“By winning the 2014 World Cup, we did something historic and also achieved something emotionally which will never be repeated again in my career.
“Therefore it is only right and sensible to call it a day now and wish the team all the best for qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, and for the final tournament.
“With this retirement, I am leaving the national team which has always been a valuable family to me. I hope that this bond will remain in one form or another.
“To finish with, I would like to say to the fans ‘it was an honour to be able to play for you, many thanks for everything I was able to experience with you!’ Yours, Bastian Schweinsteiger.”
.@BSchweinsteiger on his international retirement: "It was an honour to play for you." https://t.co/x4zYW98ZAu pic.twitter.com/afbFIjlQYq
— germanfootball_dfb (@DFB_Team_EN) July 29, 2016
Schweinsteiger, who has been linked with a move away from United this summer, featured for Germany at the European Championships in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 as well as the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
He made his Germany debut in June 2004, and his 38 appearances at major international tournaments stands as the world record.
He made 20 World Cup and 18 European Championship appearances, with his last coming in the Euro 2016 semifinal loss to France. That appearance saw him overtake former Germany teammate Miroslav Klose, who had played in 37 games at major tournaments.
Germany’s finest have lauded Schweinsteiger’s impact on the game since the announcement, with his teammates and manager among those to have thanked the midfielder for his contribution over the last decade.
