Basti is back – and now for good in the FC Bayern München "Hall of Fame". On the eve of his official testimonial, Bastian Schweinsteiger received a special honour as he was accepted into the Hall of Fame in the presence of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß, becoming the 18th member of the illustrious club. As the 34-year-old's star was unveiled at a ceremony at the FC Bayern Erlebniswelt, the pride and emotion could be seen on the face of the 2013 treble winner and 2014 World Cup winner. It’s 7,268 kilometres between Chicago and Munich – but his former club and long-time home city is always close to his heart.
“I’ve been here myself a few times and seen the stars,” commented Schweinsteiger among a flurry of camera flashes. “To now be among them – the best players in the club’s history – means a huge amount to me.” The red jacket – handed over to him by Rummenigge and Hoeneß – fitted him perfectly, and generally he feels comfortable as a newly crowned club legend. There was never any doubt that the Kolbermoor-born midfielder would be the next member of the Hall of Fame after Philipp Lahm in 2017. “Bastian has enriched and made a long-lasting impact on this club as a key player, as a spokesman and above all as a person,” said Rummenigge.
22 trophies – service as a “player and person”
Schweinsteiger racked up 22 trophies during a marvellous career with the record German champions between 1998 and 2015. An 18-year-old debutant became a star player, an attacking whirlwind became a defensive stabilizer, the young ‘Schweini’ became Bastian Schweinsteiger the guide and thinker. Before his move to Manchester United in 2015, he scored 45 goals and delivered 70 assists in 345 Bundesliga games. “Bastian’s successes and service to the club can’t be praised highly enough – we know him as a ‘rascal’ but he always delivered a performance,” highlighted Hoeneß. The career highlights of the eight-time Bundesliga winner and six-time DFB Cup winner include the treble in 2013 and the 2014 World Cup triumph with Germany, for whom he played 121 times. He also holds two records for Bayern: he’s won more doubles than any other player (seven) and he’s the club’s most-capped Germany player (121).
As a member of the Hall of Fame, he’s now among the greats, such as the two icons who were stood next to him at the ceremony. He also joins legends such as Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Sepp Maier, Lothar Matthäus, Bixente Lizarazu, Giovane Elber, Mehmet Scholl and his former teammate Lahm. The Hall of Fame had not been expanded since 2012 prior to the admission of the two former Germany captains.
Embodiment of the Bayern family
The testimonial match between his current club Chicago Fire and his “old flame” FC Bayern was the ideal occasion to reveal the glittering star. And anyone who saw the joy of being reunited, the laughs and the warmth there can be sure that it won’t be Bastian Schweinsteiger’s last visit to the Erlebniswelt. The club legend will always be welcomed with open arms at FC Bayern in the future. He embodies what the famed Bayern family represents – regardless of how far away from Munich he is.
