Schweinsteiger: Big World Cup question mark over Germany
Pascal Jochem
November 3, 2022
Former Germany captain and World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger told DW he's not sure the current team is good enough to win in Qatar. He also said the controversial World Cup hosts should be judged post-tournament.
Bastian Schweinsteiger retired from playing in 2019 after time at Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Chicago FireImage: Revierfoto/IMAGO
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DW: Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is your top pick to win the World Cup in Qatar?
Schweinsteiger: I would say France. They have the most quality players and the best mix in their squad. If they all are fit, they are the biggest favorite. Just watch Kylian Mbappe… it's a joy, he's a fantastic player. But this French team also has the experience of playing in a big tournament together. Coach Didier Deschamps knows exactly what he can ask the players to do on the field.
Schweinsteiger (laughs): Yeah, I know. Who could forget that. Brazil also has a great squad of course. And the Netherlands are in a good shape, too.
Germany is not on your list of favorites…?
Schweinsteiger: For me, there is a big question mark surrounding the Germany team. We are able to beat all the other teams, but too often we are just not consistent. It's like a wave, 60 minutes of good football and then the last 30 minutes are poor. We are struggling against teams who are defending well, like recently Hungary in the Nations League. If you don't pay attention to transition and counterattacks, you lose control of the game. At the World Cup our first game is against Japan and it could happen again.
From Basti to Mr. Schweinsteiger
Bastian Schweinsteiger took to Instagram to announce his decision to hang up his boots as his MLS contract with Chicago Fire runs out. Here's a look back at the career of one of Germany's most decorated midfielders.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. von Arx
First professional contract at 18
Bastian Schweinsteiger grew up in the deep south of Bavaria, and first kicked a ball at the age of three. At 14 he was picked up by Bayern Munich's youth program and in late 2002 the then-18-year-old signed his first professional contract with the club.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Schrader
First cap aged 19
Schweinsteiger made his debut for the national team together with close friend Lukas Podolski, in a European Championship warm-up match against Hungary on June 6, 2004. Germany lost 2-0 and were later eliminated in the group stage at Euro 2004 in Portugal.
Image: picture-alliance/Pressefoto ULMER/B. Hake
Eight Bundesliga titles
The technically adept Schweinsteiger quickly became one of the first names on the team sheet at Bayern Munich. Strong in the tackle, the midfielder also proved himself more than capable of contributing to the attack, making him a fan favorite. Schweinsteiger was part of a Bayern team that won eight Bundesliga titles.
Image: picture-alliance/Sven Simon
Agonizing elimination in home World Cup
By the time Germany hosted the World Cup in 2006, Schweinsteiger and his friend Podolski had established themselves as regulars on the national team. Here, Schweinstieger comforts teammate Per Mertesacker after Italy beat Germany in extra time in their semifinal. Schweinsteiger had come on as a substitute in the 73rd minute.
Image: picture-alliance/Ulmer/M. Kienzler
The captain's armband
When Miroslav Klose was subbed off at halftime in a friendly against Belgium in August 2008, he handed the captain’s armband to Schweinsteiger. After pulling it on for the first time, the then-24-year-old scored from the penalty spot to make it 1-0 for Germany.
Image: picture-alliance/Augenklick/Rauchensteiner
A Champions League title at last
It took a few years, but in 2013, along with then-club and national team captain Philipp Lahm, Schweinsteiger finally brought the Champions League trophy back to Munich. The Bavarians beat Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the final played in Wembley Stadium in London.
Image: Reuters
2014 World Cup title
Many believed Schweinsteiger’s best was already behind him as Germany headed to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. However, he proved the doubters wrong with a swashbuckling performance in the final against Argentina and was a key factor in Germany’s triumph.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Gebert
An FA and an EFL Cup
It came as a surprise to many when Schweinsteiger decided to leave Bayern after 17 years at the club. In 2015 he moved to Manchester United. However, he was plagued by injuries and never was able to establish himself as a regular in the first 11. In the end he was frozen out by coach Jose Mourinho. Despite his lack of playing time, he did manage to collect both FA Cup and EFL Cup winners' medals.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/N. Potts
Last hurrah!
After Schweinsteiger’s season with Manchester United was wrecked by injury, nobody expected much from him at Euro 2016. However, after coach Joachim Löw brought him off the bench in Germany’s opening match against Ukraine, he sprinted almost the length of the pitch to score the second goal in a 2-0 victory.
Image: Reuters/C. Recine
Semifinal mishap
Alas, that turned out to be the highlight of Schweinsteiger's Euro 2016. Coach Joachim Löw used him sparingly, bringing him off the bench. He got his first start in the semifinal against France - when he inadvertently handled the ball inside the box, conceding the penalty that gave the hosts a 1-0 lead. France would go on to win 2-0 in Marseille - and eliminate Germany from the tournament.
Image: Reuters/M. Dalder
Wedded bliss
However, life is not just about football - just days after Germany were eliminated from Euro 2016 in France, Bastian Schweinsteiger took the plunge, wedding his girlfriend, Serbian former world No. 1 tennis player Ana Invanovic in a ceremony in Venice.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Carstensen
Last hurrah
In August 2016, Bastian Schweinsteiger made his final appearance in the national team jersey, a 2-0 German win in a friendly against Finland in Mönchengladbach. It was his 121st appearance for his country. Six months later, he is embarking on a new adventure, as he moves on to America to try to help revive the fortunes of Major League Soccer strugglers Chicago Fire.
Image: Reuters/W. Rattay
Go west (not so) young man!
On April 1, 2017, Bastian Schweinsteiger scored in his debut for his new club, Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. He had a positive impact on the Fire, helping them to qualify for the playoffs after having finished bottom of the Eastern Conference the two previous seasons. In 2018, though, the Fire have won just six of their 27 games so far and are very much out of contention for the playoffs.
Image: Getty Images/D. Buell
Bastian Schweinsteiger is Bavaria
A day prior to the testimonial match between his Chicago Fire and his former club, Bayern Munich, at the Alliance Arena in Munich, Bastian Schweinsteiger was presented with his home state's Order of Merit. "You are Bavaria - and you have done outstanding things for Bavaria," state Premier Markus Söder told the 35-year-old at the presentation ceremony.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Hoppe
Bastian Schweinsteiger announces his retirement
"I will be finishing my active career at the end of this season. I would like to thank both, the fans and my teams FC Bayern, Manchester United, Chicago Fire and the German National Team. You made this unbelieveable time possible for me! Saying goodbye makes me feel nostalgic, but I'm looking foward to the exciting challenges that await me soon. I will remain faithful to football."
Image: picture-alliance/AP Images/J. Raoux
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Will Germany coach Hansi Flick sort out these problems before the tournament?
Schweinsteiger: I believe in Hansi Flick. He knows what he's got to do. It's rather about the players and the spirit. We still have the best goalkeeper in the world, Manuel Neuer. And we have other good players like Jamal Musiala. He is fantastic. He gives us a lot of different qualities in attack that we didn't have before. What I really admire about him is that he works defensively too. If he stays fit, he is our biggest hope. He can become the player of the tournament.
Musiala, and then, in a deeper role, Kimmich and Goretzka from Bayern Munich, and you also have Gündogan from Man City. Germany's central midfield, in particular, is packed. Not all of them can make the starting eleven. Who would you pick?
Schweinsteiger: Kimmich is in my starting line-up, 100%. I also like Goretzka. He is able to cover a lot of ground and score goals. If those two can control the midfield, but also work hard against the ball and stay in position, which is important in a tournament, then we're looking good.
Schweinsteiger was one of the team leaders as Germany won the World Cup in Rio in 2014Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Gebert
Which other positions give you cause for concern in the Germany team?
Schweinsteiger: We're missing a proper striker. A real number 9 would be good to have as a backup. We also have problems when it comes to our fullbacks. But Hansi knows this and he's trying to find solutions. At the end of the day, it's not about which system you play. The players on the field, do they understand what they have to do in certain moments, especially when the game is against you? How is the reaction? Are we able to come back?
For me, it's important that we show our so-called 'German abilities': running and fighting hard. This is what we are respected for in other countries. The team has to really show it and win back people in Germany.
It looks like the big hype around the Germany team that you experienced in your career is over. The German FA (DFB) can't sell out stadiums, the team isn't loved anymore by everyone in the country. Why do you think that is?
Schweinsteiger: I think it got better recently, especially when Hansi Flick took over from Joachim Löw. It's always both: How do players present themselves off the pitch, how do you let them shine when it comes to publicity? And then of course, how do they perform? In the end, good football matters, and players who don't give up so easily. I always admired players who fight. I think that's what supporters want to see.
There is a lot of criticism surrounding the World Cup in Qatar. Germany and other UEFA members have decided to wear a special captain's armband with the message "love" on it as a statement against discrimination and for diversity. Is that enough in your opinion?
Schweinsteiger: It's definitely a good sign. It's important to show your values. But as an athlete, you can't do more than those kinds of things. Of course, you have to talk about the issues, really analyze them and be critical. But our German chancellor [Olaf Scholz] said things are improving and I trust his words. In the end, it's a sports event, it's for the players. I think you should give them a chance and form an opinion when the World Cup is over.
Your former teammate Thomas Hitzlsperger said it was "wrong" to give the World Cup to Qatar. He himself is gay and could land in jail if he were too open about his sexuality. Can you understand his perspective?
Schweinsteiger: Everyone can have an opinion. But if you say Qatar should not be a World Cup host, you should have said it years ago. That's my opinion, it's too late. We should give it a chance and then after the tournament and the whole experience talk about what was good or bad.
