Germany captain Philipp Lahm stunned his
homeland on Friday by quitting international soccer
at the age of 30, five days after leading his side to
World Cup victory in Brazil.
"During last season I made a decision to end my
international career after the World Cup," Lahm
wrote in an open letter on the German soccer
federation website (www.dfb.de).
"I shared my decision with Germany coach Joachim
Loew at breakfast on Monday. I am happy and
thankful that the end of my national team career
coincided with winning the World Cup in Brazil.
"I have been on holiday for the past three days and
here have had the quiet and time to mentally come
to terms with the end of my national team career. A
heartfelt thank you for a wonderful time."
Lahm's decision came as a shock to German
soccer federation (DFB) president Wolfgang
Niersbach.
"Philipp called me this morning and personally told
me the news," Niersbach said. "Very quickly into
the conversation I realised that it was futile to try to
change his mind.
"He was not only an outstanding player in his 10
years with the national team but always a perfect
role model. I thanked him for all that he has done for
the DFB."
Lahm's success and gravitas was such that even
German Chancellor Angela Merkel commented on
his decision.
"I'd like to express my respect for what he
achieved with the national team," she said.
Lahm, who picked up the last of his 113 caps in the
1-0 World Cup final victory over Argentina on
Sunday, will continue playing for club side Bayern
Munich.
"There is hardly a better farewell than to be a world
champion at the peak of your career," Bayern
chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said of Lahm's
retirement on the club website (www.fcbayern.de).
"But for the national team, it will not be easy to
replace Lahm as a player, captain and a man."
KLOSE DECISION
Despite the old adage saying you should always go
out on top, Bayern acknowledged on their website
that Lahm's decision had taken them by surprise.
Many German fans also reacted with disbelief on
Twitter given Lahm's relatively young age to quit
the international scene.
Germany's dominant performance in Brazil,
including a 7-1 thrashing of the hosts in the
semifinals, also suggested an assault on Euro 2016
glory was well within their and Lahm's reach.
Lahm, who started his Germany career in February
2004, was one of the top players in Brazil as he
effortlessly switched between midfield and right
back.
He barely made a mistake all month and was
among the nominees for the player of the
tournament award.
The Bayern captain has enjoyed a stellar career
having also led his club side to a Champions
League, Bundesliga and German Cup treble in 2013.
Another member of the German World Cup-winning
team who could hang up his international boots is
36-year-old striker Miroslav Klose.
Niersbach had indicated in Rio de Janeiro that he
would be willing to allow Klose to have a farewell
appearance on home soil if the Lazio man decided
to quit and the same offer is highly likely to be
made to Lahm.
homeland on Friday by quitting international soccer
at the age of 30, five days after leading his side to
World Cup victory in Brazil.
"During last season I made a decision to end my
international career after the World Cup," Lahm
wrote in an open letter on the German soccer
federation website (www.dfb.de).
"I shared my decision with Germany coach Joachim
Loew at breakfast on Monday. I am happy and
thankful that the end of my national team career
coincided with winning the World Cup in Brazil.
"I have been on holiday for the past three days and
here have had the quiet and time to mentally come
to terms with the end of my national team career. A
heartfelt thank you for a wonderful time."
Lahm's decision came as a shock to German
soccer federation (DFB) president Wolfgang
Niersbach.
"Philipp called me this morning and personally told
me the news," Niersbach said. "Very quickly into
the conversation I realised that it was futile to try to
change his mind.
"He was not only an outstanding player in his 10
years with the national team but always a perfect
role model. I thanked him for all that he has done for
the DFB."
Lahm's success and gravitas was such that even
German Chancellor Angela Merkel commented on
his decision.
"I'd like to express my respect for what he
achieved with the national team," she said.
Lahm, who picked up the last of his 113 caps in the
1-0 World Cup final victory over Argentina on
Sunday, will continue playing for club side Bayern
Munich.
"There is hardly a better farewell than to be a world
champion at the peak of your career," Bayern
chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said of Lahm's
retirement on the club website (www.fcbayern.de).
"But for the national team, it will not be easy to
replace Lahm as a player, captain and a man."
KLOSE DECISION
Despite the old adage saying you should always go
out on top, Bayern acknowledged on their website
that Lahm's decision had taken them by surprise.
Many German fans also reacted with disbelief on
Twitter given Lahm's relatively young age to quit
the international scene.
Germany's dominant performance in Brazil,
including a 7-1 thrashing of the hosts in the
semifinals, also suggested an assault on Euro 2016
glory was well within their and Lahm's reach.
Lahm, who started his Germany career in February
2004, was one of the top players in Brazil as he
effortlessly switched between midfield and right
back.
He barely made a mistake all month and was
among the nominees for the player of the
tournament award.
The Bayern captain has enjoyed a stellar career
having also led his club side to a Champions
League, Bundesliga and German Cup treble in 2013.
Another member of the German World Cup-winning
team who could hang up his international boots is
36-year-old striker Miroslav Klose.
Niersbach had indicated in Rio de Janeiro that he
would be willing to allow Klose to have a farewell
appearance on home soil if the Lazio man decided
to quit and the same offer is highly likely to be
made to Lahm.
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