Bastian Schweinsteiger will bid goodbye to international football when Germany play Finland in an international friendly on Wednesday. Schweinsteiger announced his retirement after Euro 2016, with the German football federation giving the midfielder a chance to say a proper goodbye to his country.
While his career at Manchester United might have stalled, there is little doubt over the high regard that Schweinsteiger has in Germany. Having starred for Germany in their 2014 World Cup win, Schweinsteiger exits international football as one of the greats.
"I'm pleased to get the opportunity to have a proper send-off," Schweinsteiger told reporters on Tuesday. "It will be emotional, of course. I am incredibly grateful to have been able to play for my country 120 times.
"The togetherness of the team, the incredible atmosphere at the 2006 and 2014 World Cups, and then being given the captaincy, it's what you dream about as a kid. I'm really looking forward to the evening."
Schweinsteiger, who has won 120 caps for Germany, will wear the armband one final time in the friendly against Finland, and it will be interesting to see how, or if, he keeps his emotions in check. The midfielder has had a difficult summer, after being frozen out of the Manchester United team by Jose Mourinho, and while he has vowed to keep fighting for a place in the Premier League side, it will be nice to see the 32-year-old back on the pitch again, even if he does not know how long he can play.
"I'm excited to see every single fan, the atmosphere is going to be electric," Schweinsteiger added. "I'm particularly looking forward to singing the national anthem one last time. I don't know how many minutes I'll be able to play since I haven't had any game time since the Euros.
"We'll have to see how long I can last during the game but I hope that I'll get a few minutes on the pitch. And, I don't know who I'm going to give the captain's armband to."
This match will also be important for Germany and Finland with both teams set to begin their World Cup qualifiying campaigns early next week.
Joachim Low, after the disappointment of losing another semifinal in a major tournament, will want his team to get back into their competitive groove and begin qualification on a sound note. A handsome win in what will be a unique atmosphere will help Germany towards doing just that.
Where to Watch Live
Germany vs Finland is scheduled for an 8.45 p.m. local time (12.15 a.m. IST next day, 7.45 p.m. BST, 2.45 p.m. ET) start. Live streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Sony Six and Sony Six HD. Live Streaming: sonyliv.
Germany: TV: ZDF.
UK: TV: BT Sport 2.
USA: TV: ESPN 3. Live Streaming: Watch ESPN.
Australia, Middle East and Spain: BeinSports.
