Bastian Schweinsteiger

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Lore & Background

Schweinsteiger's international career spanned 12 years, from his debut in 2004 to his final match against Finland on 31 August 2016. He earned 121 caps and scored 24 goals, making him Germany's fourth-most-capped player of all time. He was selected for four European Championships and three World Cups. At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he was widely regarded as one of the most important contributors in Germany's campaign, playing an especially important role in defending Lionel Messi in the final. After Philipp Lahm's international retirement on 2 September 2014, Schweinsteiger was named captain of the national team. He retired from international football after his last match for Germany on 31 August 2016.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell on the Maracanã as Schweinsteiger tracked Lionel Messi across the pitch. It was the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, and Germany's midfield general had been tasked with shadowing the world's best player. Every time Messi received the ball, Schweinsteiger was there — closing down space, forcing him wide, disrupting his rhythm. Late in the match, a clash left Schweinsteiger with a cut above his eye, blood streaming down his face. He wiped it away, retied his boots, and kept playing. When the final whistle blew, Germany were world champions, and Schweinsteiger had played an especially important role in defending Lionel Messi in the final.

Reader's Guide

Bastian Schweinsteiger played for the German national team from 2004 to 2016. He earned 121 caps and scored 24 goals, making him Germany's fourth-most-capped player of all time. He was selected in Germany's squads for four European Championships and three World Cups. His crowning achievement came at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he was widely regarded as one of the most important contributors in Germany's campaign, playing an especially important role in defending Lionel Messi in the final. Following Philipp Lahm's international retirement on 2 September 2014, Schweinsteiger was named captain of the national team. He played his last match for Germany against Finland on 31 August 2016, after which he retired from international football. Former Germany national team manager Joachim Löw referred to Schweinsteiger as one of the greatest players the country has ever produced.

Did You Know?

• Schweinsteiger is Germany's fourth-most-capped player of all time with 121 caps.
• He played an especially important role in defending Lionel Messi in the 2014 World Cup final.
• He was named captain of the national team following Philipp Lahm's international retirement on 2 September 2014.
• His last match for Germany was against Finland on 31 August 2016.
• Former Germany manager Joachim Löw referred to Schweinsteiger as one of the greatest players the country has ever produced.