Leverkusen - The applause did not stop. Bernd Schneider (35) enjoyed the moment and sucked on the pictures.
As a mega-sized banner was rolled up with his picture in the fan curve. And, as shown on the screen, the stations, the gates and the inimitable dribbling of 81 times the national player was.
"Human" by the Killers came out of the speakers - human, that it was always the Schnix. Then there were two bouquets of flowers to say goodbye, a picture, hot words, and finally stormed the arena again. "Schneider, Schneider," it echoed from the stands.
He waved once to his fans, Schneider disappeared in the catacombs, marched to his girlfriend Carina and watched the game. "Before, I was standing in the square, now I'm back just a normal fan," he says modestly.
"With Bernd, Germany has lost not only a unique street football, but also a wonderful person," said Schneider former coach Christoph Daum, "I have in all my years rarely seen a player who had such a fine and clean character like him."
DFB-captain Michael Ballack put it short and crisp to the point: "We will miss Bernd."
