Bastian Schweinsteiger is the new Germany captain. Speaking in Düsseldorf on Monday, national coach Joachim Löw announced the decision to appoint the 30-year-old FC Bayern midfielder as the successor to team-mate Philipp Lahm. Schweinsteiger was previously vice-captain to the 30-year-old Lahm who called time on his international career after winning the World Cup in Brazil. Schweinsteiger has been a regular member of the Germany squad for the past ten years. He made his debut on 6 June 2004 in a 2-0 defeat in a friendly against Hungary in Kaiserslautern. He has earned 108 caps to date for the reigning World Cup winners.
Neuer deputises for Schweinsteiger
However, Schweinsteiger is sidelined for the re-run of the 2014 World Cup Final due to a persistent knee problem. His FCB team-mate Manuel Neuer is stepping onto the breach: the keeper will lead Germany out on Wednesday in place of the injured Schweinsteiger, as confirmed by Löw in Düsseldorf on Tuesday. The Germany coach has yet to announce a permanent vice-captain. “We’ve got a strong players’ committee. We’ll see what happens over the next few games,” he said.
Boateng misses Argentina match
Germany coach Löw will have to make do without Bayern pro Jérôme Boateng in the friendly with Argentina. The 25-year-old defender misses the clash with the South Americans due to an injury he picked up in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Schalke.
Bronze for Shaqiri
Bayern pro Xherdan Shaqiri came third in the vote for the Switzerland’s Footballer of the Year. The 22-year-old picked up bronze behind the two Wolfsburg players Diego Benaglio and winner Ricardo Rodriguez. Coach of the Year was former FCB boss Ottmar Hitzfeld who managed Switzerland at the World Cup in Brazil.
