Bastian Schweinsteiger’s journey — from the fields of Bavaria to the heart of Cape Town — is more than a career highlight reel. It’s a testament to football’s universal language.
Through Heineken’s UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour, he is bridging continents and generations through their shared passion of football.
As Schweinsteiger sat beside the gleaming 7.5kg silver trophy, he reflected on the emotional weight the object carries — not just for players, but for fans.
‘When you see how people look at the trophy, you see shining eyes. It’s something very special, and that’s the most beautiful thing I could witness.’
Schweinsteiger went on to share some heartfelt stories about how supporters have influenced his career, stating: ‘Sometimes they know more about the game than I do,’ he laughed. ‘They remember passes, goals, the exact minute I scored. It surprised me how much they remember.’
When asked if he’d ever felt intimidated or deeply moved by fans during his career, Schweinsteiger shared a rare and humbling story.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – pictured alongside Kenyan president William Ruto – has opened up on winning the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013
After losing two previous finals, it wad third time lucky for Schweinsteiger at Wembley 12 years ago
Schweinsteiger believes the Champions League trophy is ‘the most beautiful thing I could witness’
‘To be honest, what was outstanding — I remember when we were facing Manchester United with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in 2010. It was the second leg. We lost the game 3-2, but we qualified for the next round because Arjen Robben scored a beautiful goal in the second half.’
‘But when we were about to leave the pitch, the whole Stretford End stood up and gave us a standing ovation. That was very impressive. You don’t experience that so many times in your life.’
It’s the kind of respect only football can inspire — admiration between rivals, earned through performance and shared history.
He also recalled one particularly emotional moment: after Bayern Munich’s dramatic loss to Chelsea in the 2012 Champions League Final, he missed a crucial penalty in front of Bayern fans.
‘I remember those faces. I saw them every weekend,’ he said. ‘But a year later, we won the trophy — so I was all right in the end.’
The German couldn’t avoid questions about today’s Champions League contenders. When asked to name his favourites, he said: ‘Right now, I would say Barcelona and Paris,’ he said. ‘I was very surprised at how Paris knocked out Liverpool. And Barcelona — with their German coach Hansi Flick and Robert Lewandowski, who are friends of mine — I wish them all the best.’
The conversation turned to rising stars — and after being asked which current player he would most like to have played alongside in his prime, Schweinsteiger answered: ‘I like Frenkie de Jong. I like Rodri a lot,’ he said. ‘In Germany, we have Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz — two very talented players, still very young.’
Schweinsteiger has fond memories of South Africa. In 2010, he was part of Germany’s run to the semi-finals during the FIFA World Cup, and he said returning more than a decade later rekindled that sense of connection.
Schweinsteiger said he will forget when Bayern knocked Man United out of the Champions League in 2010, and the German club got a standing ovation from the Stretford End
Schweinsteiger sees Barcelona and PSG as the favourites for this season’s Champions League
‘You could feel the love of the South African people towards the game,’ he recalled. ‘Different cultures, but they all share the same passion.’
And in a switch of roles, when asked what match he’d most love to attend simply as a supporter, Schweinsteiger’s eyes lit up. ‘I’d love to go to a Boca Juniors or River Plate match in South America. I’ve heard it’s fantastic,’ he said. ‘I’ve seen a lot in Europe and the U.S., but I’ve never experienced that atmosphere.’
Heineken® Takes the UEFA Champions League Trophy on a Worldwide Journey to the Hardcore Fans in Asia & Africa
Heineken® is putting ‘hardcore’ football fans at the heart of the action by bringing one of the most prestigious trophies in the sporting world to Asia and Africa with the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Trophy Tour. For fans who never miss a match but aren’t able to make it to the stadium, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the ultimate prize in club football up close.
In South Africa, 3.4 million fans watch UEFA Champions League matches on their own on their smartphones – turning what should be a shared celebration into a solo one. To reignite the community spirit of matchday, Heineken® created a special wall where fans attached their phones, syncing the screens creating one giant display for a shared viewing experience – HERE.
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