Player Profile - Bernd Schneider
A wily old campaigner, Bernd Schneider will add a touch of guile to Germany's quest to win the World Cup on home soil.
Schneider has been a regular in the Germany squad in recent seasons and he will again be asked to provide solid service for his country.
"Schneider is a top international, one of our best players and is very popular with the fans."
Former Leverkusen general manager Rainer Calmund
Nicknamed 'The White Brazilian', Schneider started his career with home-town club Carl Zeiss Jena before he joined Eintracht Frankfurt in 1998.
Within 12 months, the skilful midfielder had left Frankfurt for Bayer Leverkusen and had also made his Germany debut against New Zealand in the Confederations Cup.
Though trophies have been thin on the ground at the BayArena, Schneider has not moved and did play in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid.
After going almost two years without an international cap, Schneider was recalled in time to figure in the last World Cup in 2002.
Schneider featured in all seven games in the tournament and also scored his only goal for Germany in the first round against Saudi Arabia.
In addition to being a creative outlet, Schneider is also a sound worker and has often been used in defence, something which could prove handy given the youth of Germany's current back-line.
Following his impressive showing in the Far East, Schneider has been a virtual ever-present in the Germany squad and figured in all three games at Euro 2004.
He also played in all five matches at the 2005 Confederations Cup and is an integral member of Jurgen Klinsmann's plans, with over 60 caps to his name.
With a contract at Bayer until 2009, Schneider is likely to complete a decade in Leverkusen and this trustworthy player will again not let his side down.
