We are not going to waste words rehashing Bastian Schweinsteiger's accomplishments with the Germany National Team. Y'all already know them.
Schweinsteiger played his last game for Germany Wednesday, a friendly against Finland. He will be remembered as the central nervous system of one of the best international teams ever, the midfield general in charge of, like, three other midfield generals.
More than that, he was the heart, the team's emotional leader. He officially took the captain's armband when Philipp Lahm retired after the 2014 World Cup, but nobody could mistake Schweinsteiger's effect on Germany even before then.
Even as he aged, Germany built their team around his creativity and vision. At Euro 2016, Jogi Low selected midfielders seemingly based on how much of Schweinsteiger's running they could do for him.
And now, they will need a new strategy, because Schweinsteiger's Germany career ended with a 65th minute substitution, a selfie and many hugs.
But before the game they honored him with a ceremony. And he got something in his eye.
Bastian Schweinsteiger crying ahead of his last game for Germany. Legend. #GER #GERMANY pic.twitter.com/cu18Uxyy72
— FC INTER MILANO 96★ (@FCinter1996) August 31, 2016
Pitch Invader Takes a Selfie with Bastian Schweinsteiger - Germany vs Finland pic.twitter.com/PH8vvWInSd
— 90thMin (@90thMin) August 31, 2016
De pie damas y caballeros, se despide Bastian Schweinsteiger. Ícono, Genio, Ídolo! pic.twitter.com/9el7YYGBiP
— Man United Master (@ManUtdMaster) August 31, 2016
Now, all he needs to do is wrangle some playing time out of Jose Mourinho.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
