Anyone who sees the 2014 world champion next to Esther Sedlaczek as a football expert today might wonder: does he actually feel comfortable?
Formerly ‘Schweini’, now an expert – does he feel comfortable? Photo: Sina Schuldt/dpa
He always holds the ARD microphone upright and obediently at chin height. Always a polite smile on his lips. His now gray hair is neat, as is his clothing, and his controlled answers come across as slightly mumbled, while his gaze always wanders a little past co-presenter Esther Sedlaczek. It can happen that someone watching the European Championship for the Späti in Berlin-Kreuzberg points confusedly at the somewhat reserved football expert and asks: “Don’t you know him from somewhere?”
Yes, you almost want to answer in horror. This is Bastian Schweinsteiger! Champions League and Cup winners, German champions, world champions! Summer fairy tale pig! The one with Poldi (today Check24) once formed the German dream duo. The Boarian Bua, who as a teenager at FCB initially attracted less attention as a midfielder, but rather because of his constant hairstyle changes and driving too fast. And about that hot tub scandal with his alleged cousin…
Does he want to escape?
That used to be the case. Schweini has long since become Schweinsteiger, apparently a grown-up family man, an expert, who knows how to behave like this. But: he doesn’t seem really relaxed. He also does not dare to look directly into the camera. And some viewers are wondering: is he suffering? Does he want to escape? Does he need help? And then: His true self emerges for a moment.
After the Portuguese victory over the Czech Republic, for example. The winning goal was scored only because the referee had not blown his whistle for an earlier foul. During the match briefing, even Schweini’s polite smile could not hide his anger. “That bothers me! The referee has to see something like that,” he blurts out. Then he keeps his cool.
He was there briefly. Himself. You want to scream: Free Basti!