Germany Beat Finland 2-0 In Friendly As Bastian Schweinsteiger Emotionally Says Goodbye

Bastian Schweinsteiger played in his final international game on Wednesday, a friendly between Germany and Finland in Monchengladbach that Germany won 2-0.

Germany Beat Finland 2-0 In Friendly As Bastian Schweinsteiger Emotionally Says Goodbye

The 32-year-old Germany captain became unequivocally emotional, welling up with tears at a presentation before the match.

“It means so much that you’re here today. It has been an honor to play for you,” he told the crowd. “I think you all saw how it affected me. I had just wanted to enjoy every moment, but I hadn’t expected it to be so lovely.”

The Manchester United midfielder made his German national team debut in June 2004– a 2-0 loss to Hungary– and finishes his international career with 121 caps and 24 goals.

Schweinsteiger, who was substituted to a raucous standing ovation after playing 66 minutes, holds the German record for European Championship appearances, having played 18 times at the tournament.

He was a member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning team and retires as the country’s fourth most-capped player of all time.

Germany won in front of a crowd of just over 30,000 fans, thanks to a goal from Max Meyer and an own goal by Finland defender Paulus Arajuuri. 

On Sunday, the Germans will travel to Norway for their first 2018 World Cup qualifier.

Meyer and Mario Gotze attempted to steal the show with some fantastic combinations to create several opportunities for the hosts, although neither was ultimately able to finish in the first half.

Meyer finally broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half when Gotze’s low cross was purposely left by his teammate, Bayer Leverkusen striker Kevin Volland, for him to score from close range.

Then, midway through the second half, Schweinsteiger walked off the field for the last time as a member of the Germany squad.

The fans at Borussia Park loudly and repeatedly shouted his name as his teammates and coaches greeted him on the bench.

The own goal came when Gotze fed Mesut Ozil a cross that deflected in off Arajuuri.

Schweinsteiger, who denied earlier this week that he had a problem with new United Manager Jose Mourinho, stated he wanted to play for the Reds again despite being left out of their first-team squad.

“I have a contract with United until 2018 and it’s my dream to run out there again,” he added. “I love football still too much and that means being on the field, playing, and that is what I am thinking about.”

Man U captain and teammate Wayne Rooney– who also retired from international play this week– congratulated the Germany captain on a “special international career,” while former Germany player Didi Hamann described Schweinsteiger as “one of the all-time greats.”

Schweinsteiger also played on the German squad that fell to hosts France in the Euro 2016 semifinals in July.

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JULY 07: Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany controls the ball during the UEFA EURO semi final match between Germany and France at Stade Velodrome on July 7, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)