Bastian Schweinsteiger announces his retirement from international football

Bastian Schweinsteiger has decided to call time from international football. The captain of Die Mannschaft has asked Jogi Low not to choose him for future matches for the German national team. The former Bayern Munich man confirmed on his social media accounts on Friday that he has decided to retire from the national team.

Schweinsteiger wrote the following:

Dear fans of the German national team,

"I just asked the national team coach to not consider me for future call-ups for the German national team, because I want to end my international career. My thanks go out to the fans, the team, the DFB [German FA], and the coaches and staff around the German national team. In 120 international matches I was allowed to play for my country and experience moments of incredible joy and success. Jogi Low knew how much the Euro 2016 in France meant to me, because I wanted to do everything in my power to win the title, which we haven't been able to bring back to Germany since 1996. It wasn't to be, and I had to accept that. By winning the World Cup in 2014, we created something historical and emotional, which cannot be repeated in my career. Which is why drawing a line is now the reasonable and right thing to do. I wish the national team all the best for the qualification and the World Cup in 2018. With my decision I leave the national team, which was always a precious family to me. I hope that this connection will stay intact in another form. To my fans I want to say: 'It was an honour for me to play for you. Thank you for everything that I could experience with you!" – Bastian Schweinsteiger

Schweinsteiger made his debut with Die Mannschaft in June 2004 in a friendly against Hungary. He scored his first two international goals against Russia in June 2005 and scored his first goal in a competitive match against Tunisia at the 2005 Confederations Cup in Germany. Schweinsteiger scored his first and second World Cup goals against Portugal in the third-place match which he won the Man of the Match award.

Schweinsteiger featured in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 European Championships as well as in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

No question "The Boss" has been an important part of the German national team. In the 2014 World Cup final in Maracana, while some of his teammates were losing their heads, Schweinsteiger kept his calm. A warrior to the end, he remained cool even in the heat of battle. He completed more passes than anyone else on the pitch and yet he wasn't content to let the ball do all the running. He got up again and again, with blood on his face, from the cut under his eye opened up by a clash with Sergio Aguero, cramp in his legs, forcing Messi out wide and away from danger again and again. Schweinsteiger was great and when Nicola Rizzoli blew the final whistle at the end of a grueling 120^th minute final, he finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy.

Thank you Basti for giving it all for Die Mannschaft. Everybody will remember the 2014 World Cup triumph.