Lahm ends Germany career on highest note
Friday, July 18, 2014
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Less than a week after captaining Germany to FIFA World Cup glory in Brazil, FC Bayern München's Philipp Lahm has announced his international retirement aged 30.
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Philipp Lahm has announced his retirement from international football. After winning the FIFA World Cup in Brazil last weekend, the erstwhile Germany captain will now focus on his club career at FC Bayern München, where he has contract until 2018.
"It's the right time for me," said Lahm. "I already told Joachim Löw on Monday that I would quit playing for Germany. This decision grew inside me throughout last season. I made the decision then that the World Cup in Brazil would be my last tournament. I am leaving the team in complete harmony and thoroughly enjoyed my ten years for Germany."
The versatile defender, who started the tournament in Brazil as a defensive midfielder before being deployed as right-back from the quarter-finals onwards, collected the last of his 113 caps in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. "A World Cup victory is a label that you will always carry with you," he added. "I cried, I screamed and I enjoyed in silence."
Germany will now look for a new captain to lead them into UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying, where they will take on Scotland, Poland, the Republic of Ireland, Georgia and Gibraltar.
