IN PICS: Emotional Schweinsteiger bids international farewell

‘It meant so much to me and I feel a deep gratitude’

‘We will see each other again in the future and, until then, I wish the national side all the best’

IMAGE: Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger gets honoured after the match. Photograph: Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger won his 121st cap in his last match for Germany as they beat Finland 2-0 in an international friendly in Moenchengladbach on Wednesday.

Max Meyer's opener and Paulus Arajuuri's own goal handed the win to Germany, who gave a debut to Hoffenheim defender Niklas Seuele, a member of Horst Hrubesch's silver medal-winning Olympic team.

IMAGE: Germany's Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Manuel Neuer react after the match. Photograph: Thilo Schmuelgen/Reuters

Manchester United midfielder Schweinsteiger, who announced his international retirement on July 29 following Germany's semi-final elimination from Euro 2016, played for 68 minutes before going off to a standing ovation.

IMAGE: Bastian Schweinsteiger and coach Joachim Loew during the match. Photograph:Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters

"It means so much that you're here today. It has been an honour to play for you," Schweinsteiger told the fans.

IMAGE: Emotional Bastian Schweinsteiger before the match. Photograph: Thilo Schmuelgen/Reuters

"It meant so much to me and I feel a deep gratitude. We will see each other again in the future and, until then, I wish the national side all the best."

The 32-year-old, part of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad, is fourth on the all-time list of appearances for Germany.

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