Germany’s Schweinsteiger bids adieu to international football

Berlin, July 29 : Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect after making 120 appearances for the country.

Confirming the news, Schweinsteiger wrote on Twitter, "I have recently asked the coach to not nominate me for the national team anymore because I would like to retire." The 31-year-old midfielder, however, admitted that he was disappointed to have not finished his career with a win at the Euro 2016 in France.

"I was allowed to collect 120 caps for my country and I lived some moments which have been indescribably beautiful and successful.

By winning the World Cup in 2014 we achieved something on a historic and emotional level that I cannot reproduce in my career," he was quoted as saying by goal.com.

Insisting that it was the right time to finish his international career, the Manchester United midfielder gave the Germany team his best wishes for the 2018 World Cup qualifications.

Schweinsteiger is one of his country's most capped players. He also featured in five games for Germany at Euro 2016, where they made it till the semi-finals before losing out to hosts France.

Schweinsteiger, who made his debut for the national team in 2004, was also a part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup title by beating Argentina.

Source: ANI