Zinedine Zidane Is My Idol - Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger

Bastian Schweinsteiger has named Zinedine Zidane as his idol, and revealed losses in big games as the sources of his inspiration.
Bayern Munich and Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger has revealed the inspiration behind his play. The versatile midfielder explained the sources of his motivation and who he looked up to as a player.

"I get motivated by defeats," he told Abendzeitung. "Like in the World Cup semi-final against Spain or against Inter in the final of the Champions League."

When asked about his influences as a player, the 26-year old curiously omitted the great German midfielders such as Lothar Matthaeus and Michael Ballack, and instead cited Zidane as his primary infuence as a player.

"Of course, Zidane. Eric Cantona but I was always very cool. Because he was his own breed. Of course, he made the odd mistake - but he had to."

Schweinsteiger has narrowly missed out on major titles for Germany in 2006, 2008 and 2010, and while he has found domestic success in his play at club level, also has yet to win the Champions League as his idol did.