World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger has become the latest in a long list of German soccer stars to move to the US. Prominent figures in the game were quick to congratulate him on his transfer to Chicago Fire.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Powell
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An unhappy chapter in the otherwise stellar career of Bastian Schweinsteiger is now history. In just two years at Manchester United, the eight-time Bundesliga champion, World Cup and Champions League winner never progressed beyond the role of nice-to-have squad player.
"I wish I could have done more for you but it was time for me to make a change," he said in a video message directed at Manchester United fans.
The vast majority of his contemporaries in Germany congratulated the long-time captain of the national side and laid the blame for his travails in Manchester squarely at the door of coach Jose Mourinho.
"He gave everything he had in Manchester, but always had the feeling Manchester were planning without him," Germany coach Joachim Löw said Tuesday. "It is a shame it had to end like that. Manchester United could certainly have still done with him."
Löw added that Schweinsteiger felt at home in big cities, where he could immerse himself in new experiences. A sentiment that was echoed by Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness.
"He is a global player who can adapt anywhere in the world," Hoeness told German channel Sky Sport News. "Being the fifth wheel on the car was never going to be a long-term solution in Manchester and this is a fitting way to end his career."
Looking back - as Schweinsteiger prepares to move to MLS
After a disappointing spell at Manchester United, Bastian Schweinsteiger is moving to Chicago Fire of MLS. Here's a look back at some of the key points so far in the former Germany captain's career.
Image: picture-alliance/R. Goldmann
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, together with close friend Lukas Podolski, in a European Championship warm-up match against Hungary on June 6, 2004. Germany lost the match 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 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 decided to try his luck at Manchester United. However, he was plagued by injuries and never was able to establish himself as a regular in the first 11. 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
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A job to do
Having spent 17 seasons at the club, Bayern are hopeful of securing Schweinsteiger's services as an ambassador at their US office in New York. But despite a recurring knee injury in recent years, the midfielder still has a job to do on the pitch.
"I hope he plays more regularly in America. He is fit again, which is not unimportant in America as well," said RB Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhüttl, who played alongside Schweinsteiger in Bayern's reserve team. "You need to be able to run there too and I'm sure he will provide plenty of highlights and enrich the league. "
The standard of play in the MLS is roughly comparable to the upper reaches of the German second division, according to Arne Friedrich. The former Germany international spent a year Chicago Fire himself in 2012 and said that Schweinsteiger can expect a hands-on role.
"In contrast to Bayern Munich or Manchester United, he will get a lot more insights into what goes on behind the scenes in Chicago," Friedrich told the German tabloid "Bild". "Fitness has traditionally been a high priority in America, but tactically and in terms of the games he has played in, Bastian has a great advantage."
Treading the same path
In addition to Friedrich, Schweinsteiger is following in the footsteps of a whole host of famous names from German football in moving to the US. His Bayern predecessors Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller spent several successful seasons with New York Cosmos and Fort Lauderdale Strikers respectively in the late 1970s. The first German to play in the MLS was another former World Cup winner, Lothar Matthäus in 2000.
And his former national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann is well established across the pond.
The general consensus is that Schweinsteiger will feel right at home Stateside. "Chicago was one of the nicest parts of my career," said Friedrich. "Bastian will enjoy more anonymity than when he was in Munich or Manchester. You can move around the street, go to restaurants and bars."
Although married as he is to former women's tennis world number one Ana Ivanovic, Schweinsteiger will surely enjoy A-list celebrity status in the MLS.
Schweinsteiger bids farewell to Germany
The captain is leaving the ship! Bastian Schweinsteiger experienced many highs - and a few lows - during 12 years playing for Germany. He will make his 121st and final appearance in Wednesday's friendly against Finland.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Gebert
First cap aged 19
Schweinsteiger makes his debut, together with close friend Lukas Podolski, in a European Championship warm-up match against Hungary on June 6, 2004. Germany lose the match 2-0 and are later eliminated in the group stage at Euro 2004 in Portugal.
Image: picture-alliance/Pressefoto ULMER/B. Hake
At the double!
You wait a year for your first international goal – and then two come along at once. In a 2-2 friendly draw with Russia in June 2005, Schweinsteiger hits a double, the first of four braces for Germany.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/O. Berg
Agonizing semi-final defeat
Empty stare, sweat-soaked shirt, tear-stained face. Schweinsteiger comforts team mate Per Mertesacker after Italy stun Germany in extra time in their 2006 World Cup semi-final. Schweinsteiger had come on as a substitute in the 73rd minute.
Image: picture-alliance/Ulmer/M. Kienzler
Mutterings of discontent
After a honeymoon period with the media, criticism of Schweinsteiger starts to swirl. Uli Hoeneß, his boss at club Bayern Munich, comments on his changing hair colour, while in the Germany team he is overshadowed by Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Landov
Schweinsteiger sees red
By 2008, Schweinsteiger is no longer one of the youngsters. Desperate to make a telling contribution at Euro 2008, he pushes too far and is shown a red card against Croatia. He comes roaring back with two assists and a goal in the quarter-final victory over Portugal.
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/A. Hassenstein
Captain for the first time
When Miroslav Klose is replaced at halftime in a friendly against Belgium in August 2008, he gives the captain’s armband to Schweinsteiger. After pulling it on for the first time, the 24-year-old nets a penalty to make it 1-0.
Image: picture-alliance/Augenklick/Rauchensteiner
The Doctor
Schweinsteiger’s career has been blighted by injury and if he had stayed fit he might have reached a record 170 caps for his country. German team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt has always been on hand to treat Schweinsteiger’s many ailments, as here at the 2014 World Cup.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/EPA/C. Moya
World champions!
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
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 brings him off the bench in Germany’s opening match against Ukraine, he sprints almost the length of the pitch to score the second goal in a 2-0 success.
Image: Reuters/C. Recine
Semi-final blooper
Germany’s Euro 2016 dream ends and Schweinsteiger is at fault. He concedes a needless penalty to gift France the lead in the semi-final and the hosts go on to win 2-0.
Image: Reuters/M. Dalder
Heartfelt thanks
“I feel a very, very deep sense of gratitude, for wonderful years, for experiences that I dreamed of as a child. That makes me proud and happy.”
