Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has announced his retirement from international football.
Since making his debut on international stage in 2004, the midfielder has made 120 appearances for Germany, making him national team’s fourth most-capped player of all time.
“Dear fans of the Germany national team I have just asked the national team coach not to consider me any more for his national team selections in future since I would like to retire,” the 31-year-old announced on Twitter.
After 120 matches, @BSchweinsteiger has retired from #DieMannschaft duty. Thanks for all the unforgettable memories! pic.twitter.com/dziFyjN4KO
— germanfootball_dfb (@DFB_Team_EN) July 29, 2016
“My thanks go to the fans, the team, the DFB (German Football Association), the coaches and the Germany national team. I was able to run out 120 times for my country and experience moments which were indescribably beautiful and successful.
“Jogi Löw knew how much Euro 2016 in France meant to me because I desperately wanted to win this title, which we have not been able to bring back to Germany since 1996. It wasn’t to be and I have to accept this.
“By winning the 2014 World Cup, we did something historic and also achieved something emotionally which will never be repeated again in my career. Therefore it is only right and sensible to call it a day now and wish the team all the best for qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, and for the final tournament.”
“To finish with, I would like to say to the fans ‘it was an honour to be able to play for you, many thanks for everything I was able to experience with you!’ Yours, Bastian Schweinsteiger.”
Meanwhile, the former Bayern Munich star also appears likely to leave Man Utd this summer after he failed to appear for the club’s first-team training in Carrington on Thursday.
The 31-year-old faced several weeks out on the sidelines last season as he made attempts to recover from his long-sustained knee injury, making just 13 league appearances for the Red Devils.
Schweinsteiger, who has been reportedly informed by Jose Mourinho that he is surplus to requirements at Man Utd, is thought to have attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Besiktas.
While, several sources in England insist that the German midfielder is one of nine Man Utd’s first-team players that could be set for Old Trafford exit this summer with the futures of Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Adnan Januzaj, Will Keane, Tyler Blackett and Paddy MNair all hanging in the balance.
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