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Germany great Bastian Schweinsteiger retires from international play
BERLIN (AP) — Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger announced Friday that he is retiring from international football after making 120 appearances over 12 years.
"I have just asked the coach not to nominate me anymore for the national team because I would like to step back," the 31-year-old Schweinsteiger said on Twitter.
"We achieved something historic and emotional in winning the World Cup title in 2014, something that can't be repeated in my career. That's why it's right and reasonable to call it a day and to wish the team all the best for qualification for the 2018 World Cup."
Schweinsteiger expressed his disappointment at the team's failure to win this year's European Championship - Germany lost to France in the semifinal - but he remembered "moments that were unbelievably special and successful."
The combative midfielder produced an inspired performance to help Germany beat Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil.
GALLERY: Germany's World Cup celebrations
Germany's World Cup Celebration Parade
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Per Mertesacker, Manuel Neuer, Kevin Grosskreutz and Lukas Podolski (L-R)
The airplane with the German national on board flies over the Fanmeile at Brandenburg Gate during the German team victory ceremony.
Germany's defender Philipp Lahm holding the World Cup.
The bus with the players of German national soccer team arrives in central Berlin.
Head coach Joachim Loew.
Thomas Mueller, Per Mertesacker, Manuel Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger
Lukas Podolski, Per Mertesacker and Thomas Mueller
The German team arrives at Brandenburg Gate.
Per Mertesacker (L) and Jerome Boateng.
Per Mertesacker, Manuel Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger
Team Germany and Helene Fischer.
Manager Joachim Loew.
Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller.
Germany's players perform a conga line.
Lukas Podolski, Jerome Boateng and Mesut Oezil.
Lukas Podolski and Kevin Grosskreutz.
Roman Weidenfeller, Shkodran Mustafi, Andre Schuerrle, Miroslav Klose, Mario Goetze and Toni Kroos.
Benedikt Hoewedes
Mario Goetze takes a photo of Ron-Robert Zieler, Jerome Boateng, Lukas Podolski, Per Mertesacker and Mesut Oezil.
Lukas Podolski, Ron-Robert Zieler, Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira, Mesut Oezil and Per Mertesacker.
His efforts came at a cost, however, with persistent knee problems delaying his return for Bayern Munich before he transferred to Manchester United at the end of the 2014-15 season.
Schweinsteiger's bad luck continued in Manchester, with two serious knee injuries putting his participation in Euro 2016 in doubt before he scored on his first appearance in the tournament against Ukraine. He made four substitute appearances before starting in the semifinal against France, when his hand-ball allowed Antoine Griezmann to score from the penalty spot to set the hosts on their way to a 2-0 win.
Schweinsteiger's appearance in that game was his 20th at a European Championship, a record 38th at a major tournament including his 18 World Cup appearances.
"As a coach I gained a lot from him and can only thank him for everything," said Germany coach Joachim Low, who made Schweinsteiger captain following the retirement of Philipp Lahm after the World Cup win.
"There was absolute trust between us in every exchange. We could always speak about sporting and personal issues and he also influenced the team with his conduct," Low said.
Schweinsteiger made his Germany debut in Kaiserslautern on June 6, 2005 in a 2-0 defeat to Hungary. He scored both of his first goals in a 2-2 friendly draw with Russia on June 8, 2005.
"In Bastian Schweinsteiger a really great one is leaving the national team," German football federation president Reinhard Grindel said. "His name will always remain unforgotten and closely linked to the 2014 World Cup final in Rio, where he showed all his qualities and virtues: top class and absolute dedication."
Schweinsteiger married Serbian tennis player Ana Ivanovic shortly after Euro 2016.
