Bastian Schweinsteiger cries ahead of final game for Germany after announcing his international retirement
Unwanted Manchester United midfielder given send-off by his country in friendly against Finland
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER burst into tears ahead of his final match for Germany.
The midfielder is being given a send-off by his country in a friendly clash against Finland and gave an emotional speech before kick-off.
Germany went on to win 2-0 thanks to Max Meyer's strike and a deflected cross from Mesut Ozil.
Schweinsteiger, 32, called time on his international career after their semi-final defeat to hosts France at Euro 2016.
He said: "It means so much that you're here today.
"It has been an honour to play for you. I think you all saw how it affected me.
"I had just wanted to enjoy every moment, but I hadn't expected it to be so lovely."
He is currently digging his heels in and refusing a move despite being banished to the reserves by Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.
Bayern Munich supremo Karl-Heinz Rummenigge blasted the Portuguese for throwing Schweinsteiger on the scrap heap.
But Mourinho hit back furiously and joked that Schweinsteiger's former club could prove their support by tabling a bid for the midfielder.
He said: “I thought after I read some quotes from people at Bayern Munich, they would run to Manchester to bring him back, but no, that didn’t happen. I’m surprised that Mr Rummenigge isn’t here now to take him back.
“It’s his life. It’s his career. He has a contract with Man United and has decided to stay. That’s not a problem for us. Football is made of decisions.
“Bastian is not speaking a lot. He gave his last statement which he is completely free to do it in an objective and polite way like he did. No problems at all.”
Schweinsteiger has won 120 caps for Germany and took over from Philipp Lahm as skipper following the 2014 World Cup win.
He has won eight Bundesliga titles as well as the Champions League in an illustrious career.