Bastian Schweinsteiger retires at 35

Bastian Schweinsteiger called time on his glittering career Tuesday at the age of 35.

The German midfielder won the World Cup, Champions League, and eight Bundesliga titles during his playing days.

"Saying goodbye as an active player makes me feel a little nostalgic, but I am also looking forward to the exciting challenges that await me soon. I will remain faithful to football," Schweinsteiger wrote in his extended message on Instagram.

"Many, many thanks for the time we spent together, I will always have a place for you in my heart! Yours, Basti."

Schweinsteiger spent 13 seasons with Bayern Munich's first team and became a fan favorite due to his physicality and technicality in the middle of the park. He was critical to an outfit that plundered eight Bundesliga titles, seven successes in the DFB-Pokal, and a 2012-13 Champions League final triumph during his time with the club.

He was similarly instrumental on the international stage. He made his national team debut at just 19 and suffered heartache in semifinal eliminations at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. In 2014, when many believed his best years were behind him, he put in a string of influential performances before commanding the midfield in the World Cup final defeat of Argentina.

Schweinsteiger completed 90 minutes of the Chicago Fire's 5-2 win at Orlando City on Sunday and spent over three seasons in Major League Soccer after moving from Manchester United in 2017. He collected an FA Cup winners' medal and featured in a victorious League Cup run over his two-and-half years with United.