Former Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger has admitted that a transfer to Inter which fell through is the biggest regret of his career.
The midfielder spent most of his career in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, before a season at Manchester United in 2015 and a move to Chicago Fire two years later, until he retired in 2019.
In an interview with Italian television broadcaster Rai Sport, and as reported by FCInterNews.it, Schweinsteiger revealed that he had the opportunity to leave Bayern for Inter in 2008 and play under coach Jose Mourinho, but Bayern’s failure to land Alexander Hleb meant he remained in Bavaria.
“Jose Mourinho had just arrived in Milan, (Jurgen) Klinsmann was at Bayern and he wanted the Belarussian from Stuttgart, Alex Hleb at all costs,” the 2014 World Cup winner claimed.
“He was playing in my position so I could have looked for another team. Mourinho had sensed the deal, he was missing just the signature.
“Then Barcelona came into the equation and Hleb moved to Spain, so I wasn’t allowed to leave. Inter signed (Ricardo) Quaresma and the Brazilian, (Amantino) Mancini instead.
“As a big Serie A fan, it is my biggest regret. Somehow I tried to make up for it; I got married in Italy and I come to Italy for tourism whenever I can,” he added.
Schweinsteiger was also hoping to see the Italian national team recover after missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and wanted the Azzurri to participate in Euro 2024, to be hosted by Germany.
“Now I’m waiting for your national team at the European Championship in Germany,” he concluded.
The 38-year-old scored 24 goals in 121 appearances for Germany, and lifted the World Cup in 2014 after being a runner-up at Euro 2008.
