This past weekend was one for the books for South African football fanatics as German football legend Bastian Schweinsteiger visited mzansi’s shores for the 2025 edition of the Heineken UEFA Champions League trophy world tour.
During his visit, the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner visited both Cape Town and Johannesburg, where he had the opportunity to engage with members of the media as well as the public, sharing some of his insights about his thoughts on the beautiful game.
Later, it was time to head onto the tour bus to parade the iconic European trophy in front of the locals, who later all had a chance to snap pictures with the trophy as well as Bastian himself.
While the moment was significant for so many football fans, it was just as meaningful for the 40-year-old who has some vivid memories about his last visit to South Africa.
Speaking at the media launch hosted by the CABO beach club at Cape Town’s Waterfront, he reflected on his most memorable moments while here for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, one of which was the iconic DHL Stadium (previously known as Cape Town stadium). It was here that they beat Argentina 4-0 in their quarter-final clash, with Bastian playing an important role in that victory.
“After arriving here, I called my friend Thomas Muller. I asked him if he remembered the stadium as well, and he said, ‘Yes, I remember quite well because I scored the first goal.’ So yeah, that was fifteen years ago when I had the opportunity to come to South Africa.”
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While Germany ended the tournament in third place after falling short to eventual winners, Spain, he described the tournament as being a learning curve, filled with valuable lessons for a team which at the time was filled with several young stars such as Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira and several others, most of whom had played their in their first ever World Cup. This may just have been the perfect wake up call as it later helped them win the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
Meanwhile, the DHL Stadium was not the only thing that lingered in the memory of the footballer, but so did one of the country’s most iconic songs, Shosholoza.
“When we came here with the national team in 2010, before we took off from Johannesburg for the semi-final against Spain, we left the training field, and people from the World Cup organisation, about 10 or 12 people, started singing a song, and I loved that song. Whenever I hear that song, I think about South Africa,” he vividly recalls.
After having visited both cities, he has new insights into understanding the deep love that the locals have for European football.
In his reflection of the weekend, he said: “It’s been a privilege to bring the Champions League trophy to South Africa.”
“The passion for football here is incredible, and I was overwhelmed by the welcome I have received in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. South African fans really understand what makes the Champions League special – the drama, the skill, and the unforgettable moments.”
Also see: Manchester City Treble Trophy Tour comes to Cape Town
