Berlin: Bastian Schweinsteiger let the tears flow on Wednesday as Germany’s captain made his final appearance for die Mannschaft in their 2-0 friendly win at home to Finland.
Schalke’s Max Meyer and Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil scored Germany’s second-half goals, but the night belonged to Schweinsteiger, who played the first 66 minutes in Moenchengladbach on his 121st — and final — international appearance.
“I think you all saw how it effected me. I had just wanted to enjoy every moment, but I hadn’t expected it to be so lovely,” admitted Schweinsteiger who was carried off after the final whistle by his teammates.
Twelve years since his debut, the 32-year-old announced his retirement at the start of August, but head coach Joachim Loew gave the Manchester United midfielder the chance to skipper his country one last time.
Even before kick-off, with German FA (DFB) president Reinhard Grindel heaping praise on the departing captain during a pre-match presentation, Schweinsteiger struggled to hold back the tears.
He gave up, sobbing openly when the 30,121-strong crowd, which just over half-filled Borussia Park stadium, gave him a standing ovation.
“I didn’t think that would happen,” Schweinsteiger admitted, referring to his tears, when handed a microphone.
“Thank you for coming, it means a lot to me.
“It was a huge honour for me to play for Germany and I just want to say ‘thank you’ for everything.”
He wasn’t the only famous face saying goodbye.
Robbie Keane told his Ireland teammates to never underestimate the honour of playing for their country after he pulled on the green shirt for the final time.
The Ireland skipper bowed out with his 68th international goal in his 146th appearance as Oman went down 4-0 in a friendly international in Lansdowne Road, Dublin.
Robbie Brady and Jon Walters (2) scored the other goals, as Martin O’Neill’s men gave the 36-year-old veteran the perfect send off.
Keane’s 30-minute volley drew the Los Angeles Galaxy hitman level with legendary German striker Gerd Muller at 14th in the international all-time goalscoring charts.
“It’s been a pleasure, a privilege and an honour to have played for Ireland,” he said.
“Nothing beats putting that green jersey on, it’s the best feeling in the world and they should never underestimate it, that’s what I told the players in there.
“It’s something I will never forget.”
Keane admitted his first half goal was the perfect ending to an emotional week, a strike, he says, the whole country was willing him to score.
“It’s been an incredible week, with the amount of messages and support from former players and managers from all around the world,” he said.
“All I wanted was to go out and play the game and do well one more time for Ireland and to get the goal topped it all off for me.
“I could sense in the crowd that they were desperate for me to score, and the team and the staff.
“I’ve played this game a long time and there will always be opportunities and I was fortunate to have the opportunity.
“I flicked it over his head as I knew as a defender it’s hard to stop when running that fast. The whole country was desperate to me to get the goal.”
