Alas, Bastian Schweinsteiger will not win a World Cup for the Chicago Fire.
That much was confirmed when the iconic German midfielder announced his retirement on Tuesday, calling to an end an 18-year professional career that included eight Bundesliga titles, a Champions League and the 2014 World Cup with Germany.
But in our minds his lasting legacy will be having failed to win the World Cup for Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, which was of pressing concern to the local media when Schweinsteiger signed with the club in 2017.
Schweinsteiger announced his retirement via social media, posting on both Twitter and Instagram to ensure all his followers know he’s done.
Schweinsteiger helped the Chicago Fire reach the playoffs in his first season, but the club missed the postseason in his final two. He appeared 85 times in MLS with eight goals and 15 assists, even appearing as a sweeper at times for the struggling club.
But the World Cup that the clueless journalist so desired remained out of reach.
Alas, Basti will have to live with just the 2014 World Cup with Germany. And being a legend with Bayern Munich. And winning an FA Cup with Manchester United. And being married to a former tennis pro with two kids. And I guess a couple MLS All-Star appearances.
Bastian Schweinsteiger burst onto the global scene at the 2006 World Cup, where he was a vivacious winger who helped bring in a new era of exciting German football. Though he eventually settled into a holding midfield role, he was always capable of pulling off the spectacular. His near-hat trick in the 2006 World Cup third-place match against Portugal will always be my personal favorite memory of him. Well, that and his blank expression when asked if he can win the World Cup with the Chicago Fire.
Schweinsteiger retires in fourth place on the all-time Germany appearance list with 24 goals in 121 caps for Die Mannschaft. He also appeared 500 times for Bayern Munich.
Schweinsteiger ends his career at the same time as some other MLS stars, with Tim Howard and DaMarcus Beasley both having retired after Sunday’s MLS season finale.
An outpouring of love for Schweinsteiger followed his retirement announcement on social media. Here’s a selection of the posts from former teams, teammates and opponents for a player who was truly respected by all.