Commitment. Consistency. Determination. Pride. Bastian Schweinsteiger possessed each one of these traits and more, and will surely go down in history as one of Germany’s most celebrated of names.
If you buy into the phrase ‘Life is like a coin – you can only spend it once’ then you’d probably agree that the player affectionately dubbed as “Basti” by his fans and followers used his riches wisely as he spread a scattering of memorable displays throughout his 12-year career with Die Mannschaft.
At his best, the current Manchester United midfielder was a joy to behold and gave his all in the famous white shirt whenever he took to the pitch. Overall, he collected a whopping 121 international caps and as the curtain comes down on the unforgettable journey he carved out for himself since earning his first appearance back in the summer of 2004, it’s only right that the beautiful game pays homage to one of the best midfielders the modern game has ever seen.
Also Read: Bastian Schweinsteiger pens open letter to fans
The bright blonde locks might have faded with age, and his pace, unbridled energy and blossoming brilliance might now be distant memories but they are just some of the past souvenirs that remain cherished by so many German football fans.
Nowhere was that more evident than at the Stadion Borussia-Park as Joachim Low’s charges played host to Finland at the end of August because the 32-year-old was treated to an incredibly warm and affectionate response from the fans before kick off and the player himself was visibly emotional as he said goodbye – indeed, whenever he went near the ball, the crowd raised the decibel levels to cheer him on, as if in an effort to dissuade the star from actually hanging up his boots for definite.
The reality of it is that Schweinsteiger has now retired, but it’s easy to see why he’ll never be forgotten.
Basti, the hero of German resilience
He exits the stage as the country’s fourth all-time caps holder (including West Germany players) and boasts a rather good return of 24 goals to his name.
Without doubt, the importance of his shining value down through the years cannot be understated because he has been one of their key players ever since establishing himself as a regular starter, and while sometimes it can be easy to underestimate just how high the level of football exuded by the reigning world champions truly is, the reality of it is that it takes a real degree of character, self-belief and discipline to remain at the pinnacle of the beautiful game for so long.
He might not have been the greatest goal-scoring midfielder they’ve ever produced but he has often been one of their safety nets as he has continued to offer himself up as a beacon for the youngsters to look up to, particularly in his later years.
Having started life as a wide midfielder, he was a flashy, flair performer early on, but it was his adaptability that saw him elongate his career longer and allowed him to remain a truly relevant member of the squad. So much so that he went on to become a veritable leader, whose lasting pose in people’s minds will surely be that of the six-foot central midfielder, scanning the pitch in front of him for the opportunity to link the play from defence to attack, craft the perfect assist for one of the strikers or flash a long-range, scything piledriver into the back of the net.
Of course, the snapshot of him raising the World Cup trophy in Brazil will seat neatly alongside it.
Having represented the team from U16 level onward, it's fair to say that he was one of their golden boys who was as in-tune with the system and identity of German football as they were with him, and that manifested itself perfectly so many times down the years. The connect was undeniable and it was arguably that familiarity and
Whether it was the fact he became the country’s record appearance holder at major tournaments (with 38) at this summer’s Euros in France or the manner in which he became their captain, managing to outlast some of his peers, it’s clear that “Basti” dusted down a spot for himself on the podium of greats as an irreplaceable cog with an enduring hunger to be as available to the calling as possible.
Undeniably, of course, it must be said that there were moments when he became a victim of his love for the national team where others have snubbed it. The many minutes took their toll on his body through injury and fatigue, and he wasn’t always treated nicely by some sections of the media (especially following his handball in the semi-final against France at Euro 2016) but his service to the team in the good times, which he fueled, will always be remembered far more often that the admittedly rare bad times.
The conductor behind some of Germany’s greatest hits
An inauspicious start saw “Schweini” earn his full international debut against Hungary in a 2-0 friendly defeat before earning his chance in the Germany squad for Euro 2004, but things didn’t exactly take off there either as the team disastrously crashed out of the group stage, despite some snippets of class from the teenage sensation.
However, it speaks volumes about just how confident the coaches and the general public were regarding his promise that he continued to get selected from there on in, as he was given more chances to prove his worth, not that he was to blame for any of their sketchy performances.
Of course, his powerhouse displays at club level were a big help in getting him selected but the underlying current of belief in his ability to transfer those skills to the national shirt was surely a strong one indeed. Football fans everywhere, whether of German-orientation or not, can be thankful that they did so because he managed to bring a level of honour and fulfillment to the scene of international football that is becoming, disappintingly, increasingly infrequent across the board and will have entertained so many supporters of the beuatiful game.
To be consistent does not always mean one is the best, but the former Bayern Munich midfielder managed to successfully marry the two worlds together for much of his 12 years on the global stage.
He was a pivotal star in their 2014 World Cup win, featuring in all of their matches (bar their opener against Portugal) including their memorable 7-1 drubbing of hosts Brazil in the semi final. Slotting in to the right side of central midfield, he carried out his role with typical panache, substance and control, acting as the perfect weight for some of the team’s more creative types to get on with doing the damage in front of goal. It was almost as if he was getting ready to let the future take the reins.
Of course, that’s not to say, he didn’t contribute his fair share of brilliance as his threaded through-balls, lofted threatening crosses, tough-tackling and general calmness in possession meant so much and more to the historic win which ended the country’s 24-year wait for the biggest football prize there is.
He has earned the respect of his peers
Aside from trophies, medals and individual honours, the words of one's peers are perhaps the most important accolades a footballer can cherish upon retirement – and Schweinsteiger has certainly been lavished with respect from those in the know.
Manuel Neuer contends he is still “one of the best” midfielders in the world. Club team-mte Wayne Rooney hailed his career as “special”. Joachim Low said Schweini had “shaped the national team.”
It’s clear he has earned the respect of his peers, but if anything can best sum up what his career has meant, of course, it’s what the man himself said during his teary swansong speech:
I didn’t expect that emotion. Thank you all for coming here. I’m feeling so thankful and we’ll see each other in the future again
His career might not have lasted as long as he, and many of his admirers would have liked but there can’t be many who will deny the fact that it was one that was fulfilling, exciting, filled with wonderful moments and, importantly, one which saw him scribble his name into the illustrious list of world champions.
He wasn’t always the most ornate of players, he didn’t hog the limelight with mazy dribbles as his career ran on and he refused to play without respect. Watching the tears flow as he said goodbye to international football for the last time, however, it was easy to see just how much he loved representing his country, an attribute which is sadly lacking in so many modern-day players and something that means so much more than flash-in-the-pan elaborate goals.
After all, he ignored any thoughts on giving up on the international scene before he helped hoist his country up to the very top of it, and that passionate selflesness is something we can certainly all admire as fans of the beautiful game.
From football lovers the world over, Danke Basti.
