Bastian Schweinsteiger has retired from international football with Germany, ending a glittering career that spanned 120 appearances.
## What happened?
The 31-year-old midfielder announced his decision on Twitter, bringing an end to a career that included a World Cup win in 2014.
He scored 24 times for Germany and was named team captain after Philipp Lahm's retirement.
## Why it matters for Bastian Schweinsteiger
Schweinsteiger's retirement is a significant loss for Germany, who will miss his influence on and off the field.
He was a key player in the team's success, including the 2014 World Cup win, where he turned in a superb performance.
## What comes next?
Schweinsteiger will now focus on domestic football, with his future at Manchester United reportedly uncertain.
He has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, which may have contributed to his decision to retire from international football.
Bundesliga pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft hailed Schweinsteiger's influence in the 2014 World Cup final.
Schweinsteiger's class still shines through when he's on the field, and he'll give himself the best chance to be in the best shape possible by focusing on the domestic scene.
Germany will miss his leadership skills, but the future looks bright in central midfield with players like Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira.
Schweinsteiger has become synonymous with this generation's brilliant Germany side, and it'll be a long time before someone emerges who has such a profound influence on the team for so long again.
He made his debut for the national team in 2004 as a flashy wide player and grew into a central midfielder with Bayern Munich.
Under manager Joachim Low, Schweinsteiger was particularly impressive, and at the centre of a daring young side, he emerged from the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa as one of the standout players in the world.
His international career is full of stellar performances, although few will resonate more with his compatriots than his magnificent display in the 2014 World Cup final at the Maracana.
Schweinsteiger was sensational, giving blood, sweat and tears for the cause as Germany beat Argentina in extra time.
As BT Sport's Archie Rhind-Tutt suggested, he's not been at his best for Germany since the World Cup anyway.
Schweinsteiger's retirement marks the end of an era for Germany, but he'll always be remembered as one of the greatest players in the team's history.