Schweinsteiger favoured to become new leader

Germany midfielder likely to replace retired captain Lahm.

BERLIN: German midfield general Bastian Schweinsteiger is favourite to become the World Cup winners’ captain after the surprise international retirement of Philipp Lahm.

Schweinsteiger became a symbol of Germany’s charge to a fourth trophy, battling on through the final victory over Argentina despite taking an elbow in the face that left blood pouring from a cut.

Age is not on Schweinsteiger’s side. He will be 30 on August 1, has played 108 matches and has struggled with injuries over the past two years.

But he was already officially Lahm’s deputy and his leadership qualities have been widely praised.

“You don’t need to think for very long,” said Lothar Matthaus, Germany’s captain when they won the 1990 World Cup, who appeared a record 150 times for his country.

“I am going on the principle that Schweinsteiger will take over the captain’s arm band. He is already vice-captain.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2014.

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