Bayern Munich is holding a testimonial match on Tuesday at the Allianz Arena for their former midfielder and key player Bastian Schweinsteiger who is currently playing for the Chicago Fire of the American Major League Soccer (MLS), according to Bundesliga's official website.

As a warm-up for the match, the Allianz Arena is in red with its outside walls having a big "No.31" on it, reflecting Schweinsteiger's jersey number when he played for the "star of the south", according to Tencent Sports.

Schweinsteiger is said to have arrived in Munich and had his first training session on Sunday. He will turn out for Bayern against his present side Chicago Fire.

In his interview with the club’s monthly magazine 51, Schweinsteiger said that he still keeps in contact with some of his old teammates including Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer.

"FC Bayern will always be in my heart," he said. "I watch most of the games on television. Fortunately, it's easy keeping up to date with what's happening in Munich. I'm still in contact with a couple of players including Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer. But, of course, I don't get to hear about everything." 

Having joined Bayern Munich's youth team in 1998, Schweinsteiger made his Bundesliga debut in 2002. He has played in total 500 games and scored 68 goals for the club. He won several Bundesliga titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy with the club.

In 2015 summer, Schweinsteiger joined the English Premier League's Manchester United and spent two injury-plagued unsuccessful seasons there. Then in 2017, he left for the US.

"I'd prefer to say I've gained another perspective. Now I can see how big Bayern are more than ever. It's incredible how popular the club is here. We played in Vancouver recently. And lots of fans there wore Bayern shirts. After the games, I always spend a bit of time with the fans. So that makes me feel like a bit of an ambassador," said Schweinsteiger.

When asked about what he thinks of Niko Kovac, the new manager of Bayern Munich, Schweinsteiger said: "I think it's a good fit. Niko and his brother Robert have the Bayern DNA. They know the club and the management very well. Both are definitely very motivated. I'm happy to see them back in Munich. Back then you could see he would be a coach someday. He played in holding midfield. He was very level-headed there in terms of tactics. Vision, organization, discipline were all important to him. He was always very good at motivating himself and he always encouraged his team-mates too."

Fans of Bayern Munich will have the chance to meet their hero and the team's legend again at the Allianz Arena on Sunday.

(Top picture: Screenshot of the offcial website of Chicago Fire)