Berlin: Not wanting to get involved in the intense discussions about Germany's midfield line-up, Bastian Schweinsteiger walked past the press without saying a word after a 2-2 draw against Ghana in the FIFA World Cup in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza.
The German midfielder did not appear to be overwhelmingly happy either when leaving the stadium Fortaleza and disappointed the waiting international media. They weren't the only disappointed ones as the Bayern Munich midfielder was one of the match's key figures, reports Xinhua.
Putting it more succinctly, the 29-year-old was the story of the match - alongside that is the fairytale like story of Miroslav Klose scoring his 15th World Cup goal to equal Ronaldo's record - as he fired up his teammates in the final 20 minutes.
Schweinsteiger knew that every word from him would spark criticism of the other German midfielders like Philipp Lahm, Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos who were unable to structure Germany's game Saturday. Discussions and criticism abound anyway even though Schweinsteiger refused to comment.
The main question is whether Germany's head coach Joachim Loew is right or wrong to leave Schweinsteiger out of the starting eleven. And would it be better to play Lahm at right or left back thus giving space to Schweinsteiger in midfield? Or does Khedira need to be brought back gently after being out injured from last November until shortly before the World Cup?
Talking of Lahm, Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho praised the German captain by saying that "he is the world's best - as a right back".
Lahm, however, has been given a job to do in midfield by Loew and it is one he intent on doing. The German coach sees himself as being in the middle of a big tactical puzzle and the Schweinsteiger conundrum is at the centre of everything.
Judging by Schweinsteiger's bad mood, it is a serious one. According to web-chats and surveys, most German fans want him back in the team against the US next Thursday.
In the last few years, Schweinsteiger has done a lot to change his image. For instance he wanted people to stop calling him "Schweini" and call him by his real name as the nickname is a remnant of his younger days. He also had a dispute with a newspaper because it called him "Chef-chen" (little boss) suggesting he lacks courage.
Schweinsteiger's expectations are higher. He seems to be tired of the discussions about him. Before his long injury break, the blond midfielder was at the top of his game winning the triple (the German league and cup double plus the Champions League) with his club in 2013. At the 2010 World Cup, Schweinsteiger was Germany's boss and was chosen for the "World Cup All Star team". Being a substitute doesn't fit in with his leader mentality.
Sent on the pitch for the last 20 minutes against Ghana, it was Schweinsteiger's chance to remind some people of his skills. And he did just that showing a physical strong game.
The midfielder on the other hand knows Loew can't stand a troublemaker that is why he is playing the silent man in the background - the question is for how long?
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