Schweinsteiger bids farewell to Germany
The captain is leaving the ship! Bastian Schweinsteiger experienced many highs - and a few lows - during 12 years playing for Germany. He will make his 121st and final appearance in Wednesday's friendly against Finland.
First cap aged 19
Schweinsteiger makes his debut, together with close friend Lukas Podolski, in a European Championship warm-up match against Hungary on June 6, 2004. Germany lose the match 2-0 and are later eliminated in the group stage at Euro 2004 in Portugal.
At the double!
You wait a year for your first international goal – and then two come along at once. In a 2-2 friendly draw with Russia in June 2005, Schweinsteiger hits a double, the first of four braces for Germany.
Agonizing semi-final defeat
Empty stare, sweat-soaked shirt, tear-stained face. Schweinsteiger comforts team mate Per Mertesacker after Italy stun Germany in extra time in their 2006 World Cup semi-final. Schweinsteiger had come on as a substitute in the 73rd minute.
Mutterings of discontent
After a honeymoon period with the media, criticism of Schweinsteiger starts to swirl. Uli Hoeneß, his boss at club Bayern Munich, comments on his changing hair colour, while in the Germany team he is overshadowed by Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings.
Schweinsteiger sees red
By 2008, Schweinsteiger is no longer one of the youngsters. Desperate to make a telling contribution at Euro 2008, he pushes too far and is shown a red card against Croatia. He comes roaring back with two assists and a goal in the quarter-final victory over Portugal.
Captain for the first time
When Miroslav Klose is replaced at halftime in a friendly against Belgium in August 2008, he gives the captain’s armband to Schweinsteiger. After pulling it on for the first time, the 24-year-old nets a penalty to make it 1-0.
The Doctor
Schweinsteiger’s career has been blighted by injury and if he had stayed fit he might have reached a record 170 caps for his country. German team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt has always been on hand to treat Schweinsteiger’s many ailments, as here at the 2014 World Cup.
World champions!
Many believed Schweinsteiger’s best was already behind him as Germany headed to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. However, he proved the doubters wrong with a swashbuckling performance in the final against Argentina and was a key factor in Germany’s triumph.
Last hurrah!
After Schweinsteiger’s season with Manchester United was wrecked by injury, nobody expected much from him at Euro 2016. However, after coach Joachim Löw brings him off the bench in Germany’s opening match against Ukraine, he sprints almost the length of the pitch to score the second goal in a 2-0 success.
Semi-final blooper
Germany’s Euro 2016 dream ends and Schweinsteiger is at fault. He concedes a needless penalty to gift France the lead in the semi-final and the hosts go on to win 2-0.
Heartfelt thanks
“I feel a very, very deep sense of gratitude, for wonderful years, for experiences that I dreamed of as a child. That makes me proud and happy.”