Schweinsteiger retires from international football
July 31, 2016
Bastian Schweinsteiger has confirmed that he will no longer be available for selection for the German national team.
In a statement released on his official Twitter account on Friday, the former Bayern Munich star said that he has asked German national team coach Joachim Löw to no longer consider him for his team in future competitions.
"I want to thank the fans, the club, the DFB, the coaches and the German national team. In 120 international matches I have played for my country I have experienced moments that were indescribably beautiful and successful," the statement, written in German, read.
"Historically and emotionally I have achieved something that can no longer be repeated in my career. Therefore, it is right and proper now to call it quits and to wish the team the best for qualification and the 2018 World Cup. "
The German captain has made over 120 appearances for his national team, but has seen his influence and appearances diminish over the past two seasons.
After a frustrating season at Manchester United, in which the midfielder missed 17 Premier League games through injury, Schweinsteiger found himself on the bench for much of Germany's Euro 2016 campaign.
However, he did replace Sami Khedira's early in Germany's quarterfinal win over Italy, missing a penalty as Germany progressed. Schweinsteiger then played the majority of Germany's semifinal loss to France.