Finland friendly Schweinsteiger's last dance for Germany
Updated: 2016-08-31 09:20
(Xinhua)
|
||||||||
BERLIN - Germany's friendly-game against Finland this Wednesday evening most likely won't be a thrilling experience for football fans.
For 32-year-old Bastian Schweinsteiger though it will be an unforgettable game as it will be his last for Germany.
A few days ago, the Manchester United midfielder announced his retirement from the German national team after 120 games and over 12 years. After Schweinsteiger conquered football's peak by winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, his career has nosedived.
The Finland game will now be his last dance on the international stage. Schweinsteiger's last appearance in a German shirt is accompanied by the question whether it will be his last concert in professional football as his future at his club doesn't look bright to say the least.
ManU coach Jose Mourinho announced his intention to sideline Schweinsteiger who joined United when Louis van Gaal was in charge.
"It' ll be extremely hard for him to come back," Mourinho said.
The German has to train with Manchester's reserve team. While Mourinho was criticized by Schweinsteiger's former club Bayern Munich and former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, the Portuguese is obviously convinced Schweinsteiger's career is on the wane.
Hitzfeld called Mourinho's decision "disrespectful", saying: "Bastian Schweinsteiger is a personality in football and one that deserves a different kind of treatment," when interviewed by the Berlin-based newspaper "Die Welt".
Hitzfeld continued, "Bastian knows how quick things change in professional football. I' m sure he is still capable of being a key figure for a big club."
Hitzfeld additionally expects Schweinsteiger to fight back and regain a place in a top team's squad, either at his present club or elsewhere.
Recently Schweinsteiger announced his intention to finish his career in Manchester and rejected a move to another European outfit. Juventus Turin was said to be interested in Schweinsteiger. Now rumors are growing that Schweinsteiger could join Major League Soccer in the USA or the Chinese Super League next winter.
Schweinsteiger himself talked about "respectful talks" with Jose Mourinho. "I know his point of view and his goals," Schweinsteiger said. "I won't stop playing football, no matter what happens to me in Manchester."
- Brazil leader's impeachment trial enters final stretch
- 94th anniv. of Victory Day marked in Turkey
- Merkel opens Germany's 17th Confucius Institute
- France's outgoing minister vows to 'transform' France
- One dead, three wounded in blast at Chinese embassy in Kyrgyzstan
- Tainted food sickens 37 Buddhist monks, 2 helpers in Cambodia
- Top 10 wealthiest countries in the world
- Princlings go to school
- Chinese painters capture beauty of Hangzhou
- 1,150-meter-long 'floating bridge' created
- Take a sip of wine at the glass skywalk in Hunan
- Groom and bride cycle their way to wedding
- The world in photos: Aug 22- Aug 28
- Daily life in Hangzhou, host city of 11th G20 summit
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Anti-graft campaign targets poverty relief |
Cherry blossom signal arrival of spring |
In pictures: Destroying fake and shoddy products |
China's southernmost city to plant 500,000 trees |
Cavers make rare finds in Guangxi expedition |
Cutting hair for Longtaitou Festival |
Today's Top News
Trump outlines anti-terror plan, proposing extreme vetting for immigrants
Phelps puts spotlight on cupping
US launches airstrikes against IS targets in Libya's Sirte
Ministry slams US-Korean THAAD deployment
Two police officers shot at protest in Dallas
Abe's blame game reveals his policies failing to get results
Ending wildlife trafficking must be policy priority in Asia
Effects of supply-side reform take time to be seen
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |