Bastian Schweinsteiger may be facing plenty of uncertainty surrounding his own future at Manchester United, but he has taken the opportunity to wish Lukas Podolski all the best in the next chapter of his career.
The former Arsenal forward has already announced that he will be departing Galatasaray for Japanese side Vissel Kobe at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.
Before making that switch, the World Cup winner has the opportunity to sign off in Europe on a high, while also bidding an emotional farewell to the international scene.
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He has been included in the Germany squad set to take in a friendly date with England on Wednesday, with Joachim Low set to hand a long-serving member of his plans a 130th cap.
Podolski has enjoyed many highs in the colours of his country and a man who has taken in many of those alongside him has returned a kind gesture shown to him when he bowed out with Die Mannschaft.
Schweinsteiger, who walked away in 2016, has thanked a close friend for all of his support down the years and wished him well as he prepares to close one door and open another.
He wrote in a tribute letter to Podolski:
“Dear Lukas,
"For years we have been connected by a friendship that is so rare in life" – so began your letter ahead of my farewell from the national team in "Welt am Sonntag". I do not know how I could begin my letter in a better way.
“I remember very well the moment of my substitution in my farewell game when I saw you sitting in the stands with my family. In the middle of those people who occupy a special place in my life – and you are also a part of those people.
“With your positive charisma, your open style and last but not least thanks to your inimitable left foot, you have inspired not only me, but also the German, English and Turkish audience alike. So I'm not worried about the fact that you will soon turn the Japanese fans into Poldi fans, if you are moving to the Far East now.
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“Servus, Poldi, my friend. Bye for now!
“Your Basti.”
Podolski has netted 48 goals in his 129 appearances for Germany to date.
The last of those came back in 2015, so he will be hoping to bow out on a goal-scoring high against old adversaries England.
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