Off the wire
• Roundup: UN urges stronger action to shield millions from human trafficking  • U.S. dollar slumps on weak GDP report  • U.S. stocks end mixed after GDP report  • 77 million newborns globally not breastfed within first hour of life: UNICEF  • Cuba sentences 11 drug traffickers to 15 to 30 years in jail  • Locally bred rice varieties to be launched in Africa next year: expert  • New approaches offer hope for controlling ovarian cancer  • U.S. stocks end mixed after GDP report  • UN relief chief to visit South Sudan  • Poland, Panama presidents discuss bilateral relations  
You are here: 　 Home

Schweinsteiger resigns from Germany's national team

Xinhua, July 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger retired from the national squad with immediate effect, the 31-year-old midfielder announced in an official statement on Friday.

After making 120 international caps in over 12 years for Germany, Schweinsteiger has ring the curtain on his national team career. "I have just asked the coach to not nominate me for the national team as I would like to step down," Schweinsteiger said.

The Manchester United midfielder was eager to clinch the 2016 UEFA EURO title in France, after Germany already reaped the FIFA World Cup in Brazil two years earlier. However, hosts France's 2-0 win in the semi-finals destroyed Schweinsteiger's hopes to win both titles with the "Nationalmannschaft".

The former Bayern Munich player expressed his disappointment due to the loss to France, as he wanted "to win the Euro title desperately".

"It should not be, and I have to accept it. By winning the World Cup in 2014 we have achieved something historic and emotional, something that cannot be repeated in my career. Therefore, it is right and reasonable to call it a day. I wish the team all the best for the 2018 World Cup qualification."

After leading Germany to their fourth World Cup title in 2014, Schweinsteiger spent most of the season at Bayern's sideline due to persistent knee problems. These knee problems continued after his transfer to Premier League side Manchester United where he scored one goal in only 18 appearances since his arrival in July 2015.

Germany's former team captain made his interactional debut against Hungary in June 2004. He made 20 European Championship and 18 World Cup appearances, and provided 24 goals in overall 120 outings. Endit