Schweinsteiger turned out for Germany for the last time last night in a 2-0 friendly win over Finland as he begins to wind down his career.
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Schalke’s Max Meyer and Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil scored Germany’s second-half goals, but the night belonged to Schweinsteiger, who played the first 66 minutes in Moenchengladbach on his 121st – and final – global appearance.
Youngsters Max Meyer of Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt and Niklas Suele of Hoffenheim have all been called up after winning silver medals with Germany at the recent Rio Olympics.
Manchester United midfielder Schweinsteiger, who announced his worldwide retirement on July 29 following Germany’s semi-final elimination from Euro 2016, played for 68 minutes before going off to a standing ovation.
“We have to wait to see what happens in September and October and how things will develop, but I will definitely not stop playing football”.
If you had to pick one person who perfectly represents the German football team in the 21st century, it’s Bastian Schweinsteiger. I had great years here and feel deep gratitude for the games I was allowed to play for Germany.
Neuer, a 30-year-old Bayern Munich goalkeeper, made his Germany debut in June 2009 and won the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil. My coaches, especially Joachim Löw, under his leadership I’ve become a better and more mature global player.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen played in goal rather than Manuel Neuer while the likes of Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Sami Khedria, Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller were all rested as Kevin Volland, Karim Bellarabi and Mario Goetze came in.
Neuer already has experience on the big stage.
Meanwhile, Schweinsteiger has said he is looking forward to his final Germany match on Wednesday and admits he will miss joining up with his country. Neuer has worn the captain’s armband in 14 internationals.
Schweinsteiger, though, was more than up for the challenge with his young teammates, with his every touch, every pass, every move cheered by the capacity crowd at the Borussia-Park. “I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it’s very hard that an opportunity will arrive”, said the Reds’ boss. Germany used a largely second-string lineup and eased past a Finland team that rarely threatened.
It remained goalless at the break, but there were worrying scenes for Arsenal fans when new-signing Shkodran Mustafi took a knock early in the second-half, but played on.
By that time he had made 120 appearances for Die Mannschaft and scored 24 goals. He will get his farewell match next year.
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Germany will now travel to Norway to start the World Cup play-offs on Sunday. “He’s got everything I want to see in a new captain, and his achievements in sport – simply outstanding Manuel -“.
