Petr David Josek/Associated Press
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Bastian Schweinsteiger has been named the new captain of the German national team, replacing Philipp Lahm in the role after he retired from international football this summer.
The national team's official Twitter account revealed on Tuesday that Schweinsteiger would take the armband and seek to improve further upon the side's recent triumphs after winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil:
Schweinsteiger has made 108 appearances for Germany since debuting in 2004, establishing himself as one of Joachim Low's key players during that 10-year tenure.
In Germany, rumours had grown that Sami Khedira would receive the call, per ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld, with German magazine Kickerquoted in the report supposing: "Anyone but Khedira receiving the call would come as surprise."
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Schweinsteiger's performances at club level have reflected his value in a leadership role, having captained Bayern Munich on numerous occasions in the past.
After Lahm, Schweinsteiger closely follows his club team-mate in passing prestige, too, as WhoScored.com illustrates:
The reigning Bundesliga champions were swift to congratulate their playmaker, an ever-present figure among their ranks for more than a decade now:
Die Mannschaft will be hopeful of ensuring this summer's World Cup glory was merely the start of a new age in prosperity for Germany, with Schweinsteiger set to lead the team for the first time on Wednesday.
Is Schweinsteiger the right choice as captain?
Germany face Argentina in a midweek friendly against Argentina, a re-staging of this year's World Cup final, before taking on Scotland in Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier.
Schweinsteiger is unavailable for Wednesday's game through injury, but should he take to the field against the Scots, the 30-year-old will become the outright fifth-most capped player Germany has produced, currently tied with Jurgen Klinsmann for that honour.
In his absence, Manuel Neuer has been announced by Bayern Munich as the temporary captain, having been among the contenders for the full-time position prior to Tuesday's reveal:
Schweinsteiger will treat Lahm's example as one worth following in any case. Germany were constantly viewed among the favourites for any major international competition with him as their guide.
According to Transfermarkt, Schweinsteiger's 108 appearances in German colours have produced 23 goals and 39 assists, showing his worth as a direct threat on goal as well as a calming presence for his team-mates.
Commanding his countrymen just as he does at the Allianz Arena, Schweinsteiger brings another winning mentality to the armband, giving Low another reliable figure with whom he can entrust his squad's future.
