Bastian Schweinsteiger facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bastian Schweinsteiger

Schweinsteiger in 2023
Personal information
Date of birth	(1984-08-01) 1 August 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth	Kolbermoor, West Germany
Height	1.83 m
Playing position	Midfielder
Youth career
1990–1992	FV Oberaudorf
1992–1998	TSV 1860 Rosenheim
1998–2002	Bayern Munich
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2001–2005	Bayern Munich II	34	(2)
2002–2015	Bayern Munich	342	(45)
2015–2017	Manchester United	18	(1)
2017–2019	Chicago Fire	85	(8)
Total		479	(56)
National team
2000	Germany U16	1	(0)
2001–2002	Germany U18	11	(2)
2002–2003	Germany U19	7	(2)
2004	Germany U21	7	(2)
2004–2016	Germany	121	(24)
Honours Men's football Representing  Germany FIFA World Cup Winner 2014 Brazil Team Third 2010 South Africa Team Third 2006 Germany Team UEFA European Championship Runner-up 2008 Austria–Switzerland Team Third 2012 Poland–Ukraine Team FIFA Confederations Cup Third 2005 Germany Team
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Bastian Schweinsteiger (born 1 August 1984) is a famous German former football player. He played as a midfielder, which is a player who helps both attack and defend. Early in his career, he played more on the sides of the field. Later, he moved to a central role, controlling the game from the middle. Many people, including his former national team coach, Joachim Löw, consider him one of Germany's best players ever.

Schweinsteiger spent 17 seasons with Bayern Munich, one of Germany's biggest clubs. He played exactly 500 matches for them and scored 68 goals. With Bayern, he won many important trophies. These include eight Bundesliga titles (Germany's top league), seven DFB-Pokal cups, and the amazing UEFA Champions League title. He also won the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. In 2015, he moved to Manchester United in England. After playing there for about 18 months, he joined Chicago Fire in the United States. He stopped playing professional football in October 2019.

Bastian Schweinsteiger also had a great career with the German national team from 2004 to 2016. He is Germany's fourth most-capped player, meaning he played in 121 international games and scored 24 goals. He played in four European Championships and three World Cups. His biggest achievement was winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He was a key player in that tournament, especially in the final where he helped defend against Lionel Messi. After Philipp Lahm retired from international football in 2014, Schweinsteiger became the captain of the national team. He played his last game for Germany in August 2016 before retiring from international football.

Since he stopped playing in 2019, Schweinsteiger has worked as a football expert for the German TV channel ARD. He shares his knowledge and thoughts on games for their show Sportschau.

Bastian Schweinsteiger's Football Journey

Starting Out at Bayern Munich

Bastian Schweinsteiger joined FC Bayern Munich as a young player on 1 July 1998. He moved up through the club's youth teams. When he was younger, he was also a very good ski racer. He had to choose between a career in skiing or football. After winning the German youth championship in July 2002, he quickly joined Bayern's reserve team. He played well in the third division.

Schweinsteiger playing for Bayern Munich in 2007

At just 18 years old, after only two training sessions with the main team, coach Ottmar Hitzfeld gave Schweinsteiger his first big chance. He played in a UEFA Champions League game in November 2002. He made an instant impact, helping to create a goal within minutes. The next month, he signed a professional contract. He played in 14 Bundesliga games in the 2002–03 season, helping Bayern win both the league and the cup. In the next season, he played 26 Bundesliga games and scored his first goal for Bayern in September 2003.

At the start of the 2004–05 season, the new coach Felix Magath sent Schweinsteiger back to the reserve team for a short time. But he soon returned to the main team and helped them win the league and cup again. He scored his first Champions League goal in a quarter-final game against Chelsea. Over the next three seasons, he played 135 games for Bayern Munich and scored 10 goals.

On 15 August 2008, Schweinsteiger scored the first goal of the 2008–09 Bundesliga season. In December of that year, he extended his contract until 2012. Two years later, in December 2010, he signed a new contract with Bayern until 2016. This was announced at the Allianz Arena, Bayern's home stadium.

Schweinsteiger training with Bayern Munich in 2013

On 25 April 2012, Schweinsteiger scored the winning penalty kick against Real Madrid. This sent Bayern to the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final against Chelsea. The final ended 1–1 and went to a penalty shootout. Unfortunately, his shot was saved, and Chelsea won the title.

In the 2012–13 season, Schweinsteiger played very well as a central midfielder with Javi Martínez. On 6 April 2013, he scored a special backheel goal against Eintracht Frankfurt. This goal secured the Bundesliga title for Bayern. That season was amazing for Schweinsteiger and Bayern. They won a "treble," meaning they won the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the Champions League all in one season!

Because of his great performance, Schweinsteiger was named the 2013 German Player of the Year. His manager, Jupp Heynckes, even called him the best midfielder in the world.

He scored a goal against Manchester United in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. This was at Old Trafford, but he later received a red card in that game.

He played his first game of the 2014–15 FC Bayern Munich season in a 4–0 win. On 16 May 2015, he scored a goal in a game against SC Freiburg. On 23 May 2015, Schweinsteiger played his 500th game for Bayern. This turned out to be his last match for the club. He moved to Manchester United on 13 July 2015, after being at Bayern for 17 years.

Schweinsteiger was a huge favorite among Bayern fans. They often called him Fußballgott, which means "football god."

Time at Manchester United

Schweinsteiger playing for Manchester United in 2015

On 13 July 2015, Manchester United signed Schweinsteiger for about €9 million. He signed a three-year contract. He was the first German player to play for Manchester United's main team. He chose the shirt number 31, which he also wore at Bayern.

Schweinsteiger played his first game for Manchester United in a friendly match on 17 July 2015. His Premier League debut was on 8 August. He came on as a substitute and received a yellow card shortly after. On 28 November, he scored his first goal for the club with a header in a 1–1 draw.

In December 2015, he was banned for three matches for hitting an opponent. In early 2016, he got a knee injury that kept him out for two months. Another knee injury in March kept him from playing for the rest of the season.

When new manager José Mourinho arrived, Schweinsteiger faced some challenges. He was asked to train with the under-23 team. Many former teammates thought Mourinho's actions showed a lack of respect. He returned to first-team training later in 2016. He played his first game since March in November 2016. In January 2017, he started his first game in over a year against Wigan Athletic. He scored his first goal at Old Trafford with a special overhead kick. Fans voted him "Man of the Match" for his goal and an assist.

Playing for Chicago Fire

Schweinsteiger playing for Chicago Fire in 2017

On 21 March 2017, Manchester United allowed Schweinsteiger to join Major League Soccer team Chicago Fire. The move was completed on 29 March. A few days later, Mourinho said he "regretted" how he had treated Schweinsteiger. On 1 April, Schweinsteiger played his first game for Chicago Fire and scored a goal in a 2–2 draw.

He helped Chicago reach the top of the MLS standings by mid-season. He was chosen for the "MLS All-Star Fan XI" to play against Real Madrid. After helping the Fire reach the playoffs, he signed for another year in 2018. Schweinsteiger scored a goal and assisted another in a 2–2 draw against Toronto FC in April 2018. In August, he scored a long-range goal after coming on as a substitute. On 11 July, he scored a goal and provided an assist in a 4–3 home defeat.

Retirement from Football

On 8 October 2019, Bastian Schweinsteiger announced that he was retiring from professional football. A few days after his retirement, the German TV channel ARD announced that he would work as a football expert for their live broadcasts. He would cover matches, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

International Career Highlights

On 6 June 2004, Schweinsteiger played his first game for the German senior squad in a friendly match. He was part of the German team for every major tournament from UEFA Euro 2004 until UEFA Euro 2016.

Euro 2004 and Confederations Cup

After playing for the under-21 team, he was called up for UEFA Euro 2004. He helped set up the first goal in Germany's 2–1 loss against the Czech Republic.

He scored his first two international goals on 8 June 2005 against Russia. He scored his first goal in a competitive match against Tunisia on 18 June 2005 at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany.

Schweinsteiger preparing to take a corner kick for Germany during the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup

2006 FIFA World Cup Success

Schweinsteiger was chosen for the 2006 FIFA World Cup which was held in Germany. He became very famous during the tournament. In the third-place match against Portugal, he scored two amazing long-range goals. He was named the Man of the Match. Germany won the game 3–1. He almost scored a third goal, but it was counted as an own goal by an opponent.

Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup

During the Euro 2008 qualifiers, Schweinsteiger scored two goals in a record 13–0 win over San Marino. He also scored in Germany's 4–1 win against Slovakia.

In the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament, he was sent off with a red card in a match against Croatia. After missing one game, he returned to the starting team in the quarter-final against Portugal. He was key to Germany's 3–2 win, scoring one goal and setting up two others. He also scored Germany's first goal in the 3–2 semi-final win against Turkey. He captained the team for the first time in a friendly game.

Schweinsteiger striking the ball for Germany during a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Russia in 2009

For the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Schweinsteiger had the important job of replacing the injured Michael Ballack in midfield. He did an excellent job, showing great leadership. He was vital for both Germany's attack and defense. He was named Man of the Match in the quarter-final against Argentina. He provided two assists and helped control Lionel Messi. Germany lost to Spain in the semi-finals. They then won 3–2 against Uruguay in the third-place match. Schweinsteiger was captain for this game.

Overall, Schweinsteiger had three assists in seven matches in South Africa. This tied him for the most assists in the tournament. Because of his great play, he was one of 10 players nominated for the Golden Ball award.

Euro 2012 and 2014 World Cup Glory

Schweinsteiger became the first-choice defensive midfielder in Germany's qualifying group. He played five matches and helped Germany win all 10 of their qualifying games.

He started all five of Germany's matches at the UEFA Euro 2012 finals. He assisted both of Mario Gómez's goals in the 2–1 win over the Netherlands.

Schweinsteiger celebrating with the World Cup trophy after winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup final

Schweinsteiger played five games as Germany qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. On 15 October 2013, he played his 100th game for the national team.

He was a key player in the World Cup final against Argentina. He controlled the midfield with his passes for the German attack. Germany won the World Cup final 1–0 with a goal in extra time.

Euro 2016 and International Retirement

Before the Euro 2016 qualifiers, Schweinsteiger was named the new captain for Germany after Philipp Lahm retired. In March 2016, he injured his knee while training. He missed the rest of the Premier League season but recovered in time for UEFA Euro 2016. On 31 May, he was selected for Germany's final squad. During this time, he was also featured as a collectible minifigure by The LEGO Group.

On 12 June 2016, Schweinsteiger scored a goal in extra time in a 2–0 win over Ukraine. Nine days later, he set a new record for the German player with the most appearances in a European Championship match. After the tournament, Schweinsteiger announced his retirement from international football. He had played in 120 games and scored 24 goals. One month later, he played his very last international game for Germany against Finland. Manuel Neuer became the new captain after him.

Playing Style and Legacy

Schweinsteiger mostly played in the center of the field. However, he was very flexible and could also play on the left or right side. During his years with Bayern, he was seen as one of the best midfielders in the world. He had a powerful shot from far away and was great at crossing the ball. He also had lots of energy.

He was called a "two-way player" because he was good at both attacking and defending. He could play as a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfielder, or a "box-to-box" player (meaning he covered the whole field). He was also a great playmaker, controlling the game and creating chances for his teammates. He was known for his vision and passing skills. People called him the "Midfield Motor" because of his energy. Coach Joachim Löw called him "the brain" of the German national team.

Besides his attacking skills, he was also known for his strong defense and tackling. In 2013, he was voted the best German player of the year. When he played for Chicago, Schweinsteiger sometimes even played as a central defender. This showed how versatile he was, using his vision and defensive skills to help the team from the back. His former Chicago Fire manager, Veljko Paunović, called him "unique and special" when he retired. He said Schweinsteiger was a "complete player" and mentioned that in Germany, they called him a "Fussballgott" (football god) because he represented everything.

Personal Life

Bastian Schweinsteiger is a Roman Catholic. Fans often call him "Schweini" or "Basti." "Basti" helps tell him apart from his older brother, Tobias Schweinsteiger, who also played football for Bayern Munich's reserve team.

From 2007 to 2014, Schweinsteiger was in a relationship with model Sarah Brandner. In September 2014, he started a relationship with Serbian tennis player Ana Ivanovic. They got married on 12 July 2016 in Venice, Italy. They have two sons, born in 2018 and 2019. In February 2023, they announced they were expecting their third child.

Schweinsteiger was a talented ski racer when he was young. He is childhood friends with the famous skier Felix Neureuther.

Honours

Bayern Munich Juniors

• Under 17 Bundesliga: 2001
• Under 19 Bundesliga: 2002

Bayern Munich II

• Regionalliga Süd: 2003–04

Bayern Munich

• Bundesliga: 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
• DFB-Pokal: 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14
• DFL-Ligapokal: 2007
• DFL-Supercup: 2010
• UEFA Champions League: 2012–13

Manchester United

• FA Cup: 2015–16

Germany

• FIFA World Cup: 2014; third place: 2006, 2010
• UEFA European Championship: runner-up: 2008; third place: 2012
• FIFA Confederations Cup third place: 2005

Individual

• Silbernes Lorbeerblatt: 2006, 2010, 2014
• FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2010
• FIFA World Cup top assist provider: 2010 (3, shared with Thomas Müller, Mesut Özil, Kaká, and Dirk Kuyt)
• Germany national team Player of the Year: 2010
• ESM Team of the Year: 2012–13
• Footballer of the Year in Germany: 2013
• UEFA Best Player in Europe Award: 2013 (7th place)
• FIFA FIFPro World XI 3rd team: 2013
• FIFA FIFPro World XI 4th team: 2014
• Bambi Award: 2016
• MLS All-Star: 2017, 2019
• Bayern Munich Hall of Fame: 2018

Orders

• Bavarian Order of Merit: 2018

See also

In Spanish: Bastian Schweinsteiger para niños