His on-field excursions ended in disappointment earlier this month, but off-it July will always hold a special place in the heart of Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The Germany captain tied the knot with Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic on Tuesday - having been in a relationship since 2014.
Schweinsteiger looked dapper in a navy blue suit while Ivanovic looked elegant in a white dress.
The newlyweds were a picture of happiness as they left Venice City Hall hand in hand.
Also known as the Palazzo Cavalli, the Venice City Hall has been dedicated to wedding ceremonies since 1990.
The high and old Venetian style windows with the Grand Canal as a backdrop make it a picturesque setting that clearly caught the eye of Ivanovic and Schweinsteiger too.
The couple had to let friends know to keep the dates from July 11 to 13 free for a celebration - one that Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber had let slip in January was to be a wedding.
And it was understandably for the married couples families too as Ivanovic's parents, Mirsolav and Dragana, beamed with pride - with the former taking a photo on his mobile.
Tennis player Ana Ivanovic and Germany soccer player Bastian Schweinsteiger sit in a boat during their wedding, in Venice, Italy. Photo / AP
Schweinsteiger's father, Alfred, and older brother, Tobias, were also in attendance.
Ivanovic, who crashed out of Wimbledon during her first-round encounter with Ekaterina Alexandrova on June 27, and the Germany captain had travelled to Venice by private jet from Munich with close friends and family.
German media reports had suggested wedding guests were not told where the wedding would take place - simply that they should come to the airport on Monday and be ready for a surprise.
The guest list is a closely guarded secret, but is rumoured to include Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness, Germany coach Joachim Low, and Schweinsteiger's Germany team-mate Thomas Muller, as well as tennis stars like Kerber and Andy Murray.
Schweinsteiger's best man is said to be downhill ski racer Felix Neureuther, who has been friends with the United ace since the two were competitive junior skiers growing up in Bavaria.
Tennis player Ana Ivanovic and Germany soccer player Bastian Schweinsteiger sit in a boat during their wedding, in Venice, Italy. Photo / AP