ARD presenters joke
Schweinsteiger to Sedlaczek: “Say what I always tell you”
Updated March 31, 2026 – 1:16 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The German national team’s game against Ghana was not always convincing. This didn’t dampen the good mood of the ARD presenter duo.
Esther Sedlaczek and Bastian Schweinsteiger are currently the model duo of public sports reporting. At least when it comes to football. The two regularly entertain football fans with their humorous presentations about the men’s national football team. It was the same on Monday evening. The DFB team took part in a World Cup test against Ghana in Stuttgart and won with a somewhat difficult score of 2-1.
But despite the mixed performance of Julian Nagelsmann’s team, Schweinsteiger and Sedlaczek were in good spirits. “Exactly. Just say what I always tell you,” the former Bayern player teased in the direction of his moderation partner. “I’m just quoting your expertise,” replied Sedlaczek, somewhat embarrassed.
The 40-year-old had previously casually revealed that Schweinsteiger had criticized the national team’s lack of offensive qualities during the game. “You always said to me from time to time: ‘They’re just not consistent enough offensively,'” revealed Sedlaczek. The former Bayern star was apparently not convinced by the DFB team’s performance.
Actually, such comments remain off-screen during reporting, i.e. in the room in which they were made, with the microphone turned off. But Sedlaczek and Schweinsteiger don’t always take journalistic etiquette so seriously. Then something confidential slips out. In any case, the former national player took it with humor.
Another humorous scene occurred minutes later. The moderation was actually already over. “That’s it for today. We’re through, Basti,” said Sedlaczek. “We’re going to light the fire now and we can lose one set again: I’m really looking forward to the World Cup.”
Schweinsteiger then replied: “Are you keen on it?” “I’m excited about it,” Sedlaczek replied. “I’m looking forward to it too,” said the 2014 world champion. “Today’s game had a World Cup group feel. But it could have been a little warmer.”
Then Sedlaczek also dropped her presentation sheet from the desk. The 41-year-old Schweinsteiger immediately intervened and offered to help. “Come on, leave me alone, I’m flexible.” The former midfielder bent down and picked up the piece of paper. “Ah, he can still do it,” said Sedlaczek and laughed. It seemed like the two of them had a lot of fun that evening.
