The best time not with the record champion?
Spicy Bavaria statements by Bastian Schweinsteiger
09.02.2025 – 11:23 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
At Bayern, Bastian Schweinsteiger has legend status. Now the world champion may have caused irritation in Munich.
The title collection of ex-soccer star Bastian Schweinsteiger is enormous. In 2014 the 40-year-old became world champion with the German national team in Rio. However, he did not collect most trophies with the DFB team, but with FC Bayern. Schweinsteiger became German champion with the Munich team, won the DFB Cup seven times and the Champions League in 2013.
The Bavarian -born, who laced football shoes for the German record champions from 2002 to 2015, is a legend in the club. But on Saturday, one or the other Bayern sympathizer is likely to have rubbed their eyes in Schweinsteiger. Because the former midfield ace spoke over his best time as a footballer-and he did not experience it in Munich.
Schweinsteiger made a confession at the Spobis Conference in Hamburg. “I had the most beautiful years as a footballer in Chicago,” he said, but added: “The most successful in Munich.” A statement that should irritate at first glance. Because: For FC Bayern, Schweinsteiger played exactly 500 competitive games in 13 years, spent the lion’s share of his career in the club.
At the MLS-Club Chicago Fire, the former DFB captain ended his career between 2017 and 2019. It was used 92 times in three years. He did not win a single title with the team during this time, but Schweinsteiger apparently felt at home in the city and the club.
He also called a reason for this in Hamburg. “It wasn’t just football, it was the mix,” said Schweinsteiger. “The surroundings, the family. You could move a little more freely. You were not so under observation.”
He admitted that his teammates “not so good” and the cabins “were not as nice as with Bavaria or Manchester United”. “But that brought you back to the floor when the teammates don’t drive Ferrari,” said Schweinsteiger. “I really enjoyed being there and helping.”
Schweinsteiger now lives with his wife Ana Ivanović and the three children together in Mallorca. He is regularly used as a TV expert in the ARD alongside moderator Esther Sedlaczek.