He has mastered almost every pinnacle of success a footballer can aim to achieve. Accordingly, the exhibition reveals that Bayern fans have bestowed the additional endorsement of Fußballgott (football god - a leading favourite player amongst the fans) on Bastian Schweinsteiger. Born in Upper Bavaria, he became a legend over his 17 years at FC Bayern with numerous titles and committed performances.
At the tender age of 13, Schweinsteiger moved from TSV1860 Rosenheim to Säbener Straße and he won his first trophies in the FCB youth teams. He discovered what it was like to win the German league title with both the U19 and U17. At the age of 18, the midfielder then made his debut for the first team at the German record champions and his collection of honours grew and grew.
Sporting and personal development
Schweinsteiger made 500 competitive appearances for the FCB senior side scoring 68 goals and celebrating an impressive 20 title wins. That includes eight Bundesliga titles, seven DFB Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup, one Champions League and one UEFA Super Cup title – that makes him the most successful player in the club’s history. During this time, the treble winner of 2013 developed both as a player and a person.
At the start of his career, Schweini played on the wing where he stood out with his agile and tricky approach. And his hairstyle also attracted attention. The arrival of Luis van Gaal saw Schweinsteiger move into central midfield where the number 31 became the undisputed lynch-pin and driving force at Bayern. That change saw the man from Kolbermoor rise to the top of the world. In this position, Schweinsteiger was not only the symbol of the treble in 2013 but also the triumph of Germany at the 2014 World Cup.
Bouncing back
Marked out by the battling performance that saw him again and again make a stand against the the Argentina attacks in the final, he was able hold aloft the cherished World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. The 121-time Germany international has always personified classic German virtues and he always bounced back after setbacks. His career was marked by both injuries and titles.
His penalty miss in the Champions League Finale dahoam in 2012 against Chelsea will never be forgotten. Yet with “great successes often following big defeats,” as Schweinsteiger’s former team-mate Oliver Kahn put it, Germany’s Player of the Year 2013 continued the fight and, a year later, he lifted the Champions League trophy after the final at Wembley. The former Germany captain needed three finals to finally achieve his target. The way to the top is not easy but Schweinsteiger has mastered it several times.
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