It has been eight years since Bastian Schweinsteiger made his debut for Germany. Through his 99 caps, he has evolved from bratty adolescent to elder statesman. Sent off in the Euro 2008 group stages, against Croatia, he watched the final group game, against Austria, from the stands while sat next to Angela Merkel, like the bold kid told to sit beside the teacher.
There have been moments of exquisite brilliance too, like his virtuoso display in the dismantling of Argentina at the 2010 World Cup, but there have been even more disappointments.
Crouched on his hunkers, Jurgen Klinsmann gently cradled Schweinsteiger's head as Italy put the Germans out after extra-time in an epic World Cup semi-final on home soil in 2006. He must have been dying inside as the Spain team danced a conga line around him while he gave an interview after the Euro 2008 final. With his top off and his hands on his hips, he stood still as a statue as la Roja, again, ended the dream at World Cup 2010. Shell-shocked, after the most humbling season of his career, he applauded the fans after Joachim Low's side contrived to squander their semi-final opportunity against Italy at Euro 2012.
