Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger captained Germany for the last time in a 2-0 friendly victory over Finland on Wednesday, receiving an emotional send-off to end a 12-year global career that included the 2014 World Cup title.
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It will be a 72nd cap for the keeper, who made his worldwide debut in a 7-2 victory over the United Arab Emirates in June 2009 while playing for Schalke.
“For both of them, it was the right decision to focus on their club teams and that was absolutely fine by me”.
Speaking after he was appointed captain, the 30 year old expressed his pride at being named the official captain of the side.
Schweinsteiger made a tearful farewell in his testimonial – a 2-0 win over Finland – but fielded questions about his club career after being frozen out by new United boss Jose Mourinho.
Schweinsteiger is still waiting to make his first appearance of the season for United after Louis van Gaal’s replacement Jose Mourinho deemed the Bayern and German legend surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
“Basti” becomes the second German skipper to bring a close to their time with “Die Mannschaft” in recent years following Philip Lahm’s retirement in 2014. Neuer has worn the captain’s armband in 14 internationals. We always had a strong team council where I had an important role.
“I have a contract with United until 2018 and it’s my dream to run out there again”, he said.
“I don’t know how many minutes I’ll play”.
Bastian Schweinsteiger captained Germany for the last time in a 2-0 friendly victory over Finland in Moenchengladbach on Wednesday, receiving an emotional send-off to cap a 12-year global career that included the 2014 World Cup title.
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He added: “I love standing on the pitch too much to focus on anything else – if I want to be a coach or something”. Coach Joachim Loew has said he will only announce who will replace Schweinsteiger as captain on Thursday.
