Bastian Schweinsteiger was involved in an awkward on-air exchange with his fellow TV presenter after a flirty comment backfired after the World Cup final.
Former Germany international Schweinsteiger, a World Cup winner in 2014, was working for TV channel ARD in Qatar. His role saw him present the German programme’s coverage of the tournament alongside Esther Sedlaczek.
The duo’s chemistry in front of the cameras has caused a stir in the German media, with Der Speigel noting the risk of TVs overheating when they are on screen. That dynamic was taken to another level after Argentina triumphed on penalties against France following a dramatic 3-3 draw on Sunday.
After reflecting on the events inside the Lusail Stadium, Sedlaczek said: "Basti, we've come to the end of it. That's it for us. It was a lot of fun with you. Thanks for that."
The former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder then joked: "Thank you Esther, it was a lot of fun. Now we're going on vacation together for two weeks, right?"
A flustered Sedlaczek replied, "Yes, of course" before adding, "No, no, no. Of course we don't! Have fun with your family. And you have the last words in the studio."
German legend Schweinsteiger, 38, is married to retired Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic. The former midfielder first met Ivanovic, 35, in 2014. They got married in 2016 and now have two children together.
Sedlaczek seems to have taken the joke in the manner it was intended. After the tournament concluded, the 37-year-old posted a picture of her alongside Schweinsteiger on Instagram.
“What a final. What a tournament this was. My first world championship as a host comes to an end,” she wrote in the caption. "Thanks to Basti, thanks to the whole team and: Congratulations Argentina! It was a pleasure."
Schweinsteiger did a similar post and added: "The 2022 World Cup has come to an end with, for me, the best final ever and a more than worthy winner. Thanks to the entire @sportschau-Team for the great local cooperation over the last 4 weeks!"
Schweinsteiger scored 24 goals in 121 appearances for Germany between 2004 and 2016. He helped shut down Lionel Messi in the 2014 World Cup final, in which Germany beat Argentina 1-0 at the Maracana.
Ivanovic, meanwhile, retired from tennis aged just 29 in 2016, eight years after she captured the French Open title.
“It’s so hard to believe it’s already been five years since I retired,” Ivanovic told the Olympics Channel Podcast. “Most of my days are now kind of consumed by my two little boys that I have. I love spending time with them. It’s really special watching them grow up so quickly.”
