Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer is optimistic that Bastian Schweinsteiger can enjoy a successful Euro 2016, telling Bild: “He’s now far away from the problems he has at Manchester.”
Joachim Low included Schweinsteiger, 31, in his squad for this summer’s tournament despite the Manchester United midfielder suffering a partial tear to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in late March.
The Germany captain made his return to action as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 friendly win over Hungary and, while he is not yet fully fit, he has said he in better shape than he had been before the 2014 World Cup, when he recovered from a knee problem to play an important role in the nation’s success.
Former Bayern Munich and Germany star Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as both a player and a coach, said: “Bastian surprised me. I think he was stronger than expected on his 24-minute return against Hungary.”
He said he did not feel Schweinsteiger struggled with weight issues.
“On the contrary,” he said. “He showed a lot of joy in the way he played as well as mental motivation. We all know just how strong his will is. We all still have the picture of his bleeding face in the World Cup final before our eyes. I’ve recognised this will again.”
Schweinsteiger endured a difficult first season at United, in part because of injury problems, and it has been reported that he is not in new boss Jose Mourinho’s plans.
Beckenbauer, who played in Germany’s 1972 European Championship success, suggested that the player had been boosted by a return to international duty.
“He’s now far away from the problems he has at Manchester,” the 70-year-old said. “I believe that he feels most at home among the DFB team.”
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