Germany World Cup-Winning Captain Lahm Retires

Captain Philip Lahm has drawn
curtain on his ten-year long career
with the Germany national team.
The 30-year-old, who made his
international debut in February 2004 in
a 2-1 win over Croatia, earned 113
international caps and scored five times
for ‘Die Nationalmannschaft’.
His retirement from the national team
was confirmed by Germany FA (DFB).
“I am happy and grateful that the end
of my career with the national team
coincides with winning the World Cup in
Brazil,” said Lahm in an open letter on
DFB website.
Philip Lahm Alights The Plane That
Conveyed the National Team Back from
Brazil With the World Cup Trophy at
Berlin’s Tergel Airport. Image: AFP.
The Bayern Munich defender, career
ended with the 1-0 World Cup final win
over Argentina, which saw the Europeans
clinch their fourth title in Brazil,
therefore becoming the first none South
American nation to do so in the
continent.
Lahm had battled serious injury several
times since making his Bayern debut in
2002, including a torn cruciate
ligament- which sidelined him from play
for six months- on his return from a
two-year loan spell at Stuttgart.
The defender, who often time has
played as a midfielder, now plans to
concentrate on his club career.
He rang DFB president Wolfgang
Niersbach this morning to tell him that
he was calling a quit on his national
team journey.
“Lahm wasn’t just a fantastic player,
but also always an absolute role model,”
Niersbach said.
“I very quickly realised that it was
pointless trying to persuade him to
reconsider his decision.
“I thanked him for everything that he’s
done for the DFB.”