On the brink of his first start as full-time Germany skipper, the Bayern star insists 11 leaders are needed for Joachim Low's men to succeed again
Bastian Schweinsteiger has downplayed the significance of being the new Germany captain, insisting it does not "change a lot".
The Bayern Munich midfielder played all 120 minutes in the Germans' 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the World Cup final last year, helping Joachim Low's men to a fourth world title.
Schweinsteiger has not appeared for his country since due to a knee problem in the latter half of 2014, but was named as the immediate successor to Philipp Lahm as the nation's skipper.
"The captaincy doesn't really change a lot," Schweinsteiger told reporters ahead of his expected appearance in a friendly at home to Asian Cup champions Australia on Wednesday.
"I'm this type of player who thinks that to have success there have to be 11 captains on the field. And with all the titles I won, we had this kind of team. All in all, the new position doesn't change much."
The 30-year-old insists that his style of leadership will not be modelled on any idol in particular and is confident he can thrive under the challenge Low's handed to him.
"I'm not trying to copy anyone. I have had the big honour to play under renowned captains and coaches," the 30-year-old said.
"By observing all the captains I could get some inspiration, every captain has something individual. I tried to learn from that and now I'll try to pass it on.
"Sure, it's an enormous responsibility but as well a huge challenge.
"I have been captain at different times before, the difference is that now it is official."
The 108-cap veteran hopes that Holger Badstuber and Ilkay Gundogan, who have been absent from the Germany team since 2012 and 2013 respectively due to injury problems, will be able to re-adapt to life at international level.
"With these two players it's totally different because they were absent for much longer than I was," Schweinsteiger said of the returning duo.
"But sure, if you are missing for such a long time because of an injury it takes a while to play at the highest level, but you just have to know how to handle this situation.
"During that you learn a lot about your body and what you can do with an injury.
"All in all, especially with Holger Badstuber and Ilkay Gundogan, I'm really glad that they are back in the national team."
