Felix Neureuther and Bastian Schweinsteiger on the ski slope.

Neureuther and Schweinsteiger on the ski slope

These two only need each other: Felix Neureuther and Bastian Schweinsteiger are connected by a deep friendship. This even goes so far that the two ex-athletes would drive to ruin together - luckily the story had a different ending.

06 December 2024

From: sn

The 2005 team world champion and the 2014 football world champion have a lot in common. Whether sightseeing on vacation together or singing Robby Williams at Oktoberfest: the two are up for any fun.

But it was never as dangerous as this time: the two old hands skied backwards down the slope together. After a few meters, however, it became too risky for Schweinsteiger and he aborted the dangerous stunt. Ski stars Lucas Braathen and Lindsey Vonn, who are both back in training for the current season after breaks, have admitted to being fans of the male friendship. But the two native Bavarians Neureuther and Schweinsteiger are not only connected by a "bromance", but also by a long shared history.

rivals on the ski slope

The story began on the snow-covered slopes of the Alps. Schweinsteiger, a talented ski racer for SC Oberaudorf at the time, competed against Neureuther when he was young. Schweinsteiger even won some of these races - a triumph that he still proudly emphasizes today. But at the age of 13, the future Bayern Munich star decided to play football and leave skiing behind - a decision that was absolutely right from today's perspective. However, this meant that the two young men lost contact.

Years later, when both had long since become celebrated stars in their disciplines, a newspaper interview about their shared skiing past brought them together again. The old acquaintance developed into a deep friendship that continues to this day.

Joint projects and hospital companions

They supported each other again and again: Schweinsteiger cheered at Neureuther's slalom victories, Neureuther celebrated Schweinsteiger's triumphs in the DFB jersey. They exchanged humorous blows on social media, especially about their skiing duels as teenagers. Schweinsteiger still claims to have won his last race against Neureuther.

After winning the Champions League in 2013, both of them underwent foot surgery in Zurich - and shared a hospital room. In 2017, the two embarked on a joint adventure away from sport and published the children's book Auf die Piste - fertig los! - a tribute to their shared passion for winter sports and their friendship.

The story of Schweinsteiger and Neureuther shows how sport can create not only careers, but also lifelong connections. What began as a rivalry on the ski slopes is now one of the most famous sporting friendships ever.