"Dear fans, now the time has come": With these words Bastian Schweinsteiger announced on Tuesday his retirement. His departure as an active player makes him a bit sad, said the 35-year-old. But he is also looking forward to the exciting tasks "that will soon await me". He will remain true to football.
With Bayern, the midfielder won eight German championships and seven times the DFB Cup. In 2013, he brought the triple under coach Jupp Heynckes with the Munich, a year later, he triumphed with the national team in the World Cup final in Rio. Schweinsteiger scored in 121 internationals 24 goals, after the 2014 World Cup, he was until his departure from the DFB jersey after the European Championship 2016 captain of the national team.
After Schweinsteiger announced his retirement, it hailed congratulations and loving words from his family, his former colleagues and companions. The overview:
"Forever one of us," said Bayern Munich and added to this one "#MiaSanMia". In another tweet it said 18 times in capital letters: "FOOTBALL GOD."
"Dear Basti, it was always something special to be on the pitch with you, whether in the FCB youth, the # UCL final with the @FCBayern or 2014 with the @DFB_Team," wrote his former teammate Philipp Lahm . "I wish you and the family all the best!" Another ex-colleague, David Alaba , also wrote that it was an "honor" to "play, fight and win with Schweinsteiger". The game will miss him, so Alaba. "All the best and enjoy the free time football god."
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Retired Schweinsteiger: A cut that went around the worldThe national football team wrote a "Thank you, BASTI". The DFL said: "With Bastian Schweinsteiger, an outstanding player has ended his career, which has shaped the #Bundesliga on the pitch and as a personality in this millennium." The Uefa wished Schweinsteiger a "happy retirement". And the TSG Hoffenheim 1899 congratulated on an "extraordinary career" and wished "all the best for the future".
Chancellor Angela Merkel declared: "What a great career! Bastian #Schweinsteiger remains a role model - as an athlete and sportsman." All the best and thanks for unforgettable football moments! "
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⚽️ What a great career! Bastian #Schweinsteiger remains a role model - as an athlete and sportsman. All the best and thanks for unforgettable football moments! --- @bastianschweinsteiger has had a great career: He wants to stay a role model for us. All the best and a big thank you for unforgettable football moments! #football #goodbye #soccer
A post shared by Angela Merkel (@chundeskanzlerin) on Oct 8, 2019 at 9:09 PDT
The Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder recalled that with Schweinsteiger an "outstanding footballer and great Bayer" ends his "impressive career". "He has inspired the world of football and was always a sympathetic ambassador of Bavaria, and it was an honor to award him the Bavarian Order of Merit."
"Congratulations on the incredible career, my beloved @BSchweinsteiger", wrote Schweinsteiger's wife Ana Ivanovic . "I can not wait to see what adventure will be the next in our future with our wonderful little family, I could not be more proud today, we love you!"
Congratulations on the amazing career my love @Backwinner! I can not wait to see what adventure is next in our future with our wonderful little family. I could not be more proud today, we love you! pic.twitter.com/3nPT47BdyP
- Ana Ivanovic (@AnaIvanovic) October 8, 2019How exactly Schweinsteiger continues now, is still unclear. Offers are already available. "A great career is coming to an end, Basti has won everything there is to win in world football and he is a great lad, the doors to Bayern are always open to him," said Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on the homepage of the association.
Just a few hours before the resignation message coach Joachim Loew had praised his former captain in the highest tones. "We always have a place with him for us." And: "If the Basti stops, a personality will go, as the German football has not often experienced." He was one of the greatest players Germany had. " In the coaching staffs of the DFB exist for former internationals always the possibility "to internship or to sniff".