He may have written his name into
national folklore less than a week ago but
Germany's World Cup winning captain Philipp
Lahm has decided to go out at the top by
announcing his retirement from international
football Friday.
The 30-year-old made 113 appearances for "Die
Nationalmannschaft" over 10 years culminating in
Sunday's dramatic extra-time victory over
Argentina in the Maracana, Rio de Janeiro.
Lahm will continue to play for club side Bayern
Munich with whom he extended his contract prior
to the tournament in Brazil.
In an open letter posted on the German Football
Federation (DFB) website Friday, Lahm thanked
fans, management and fellow players for "a
wonderful time."
He informed Germany coach Joachim Low of his
decision on Monday over breakfast.
"I am happy and grateful that the end of my
career end with the national team coincides with
winning the World Cup in Brazil," he said.
The surprise news was met with tributes from
across the sporting world and beyond.
Lahm was at the center of celebrations as
Germany paraded the World Cup trophy to an
estimated one million people on the streets of
Berlin Monday.
Germany coach Joachim Low said: "Philipp is a
model professional who puts the team's success
above everything else."
"His intelligence and versatility as a player have
allowed him to play at the highest level on the
international stage for many years.
"He is a world-class player, as he again
demonstrated over the last few weeks in Brazil.
He crowned his outstanding career by winning the
World Cup title."
Team manager and former international Germany
international striker Oliver Bierhoff added: "Philipp
is an absolute role model as a player and person.
"He is a big personality and happily takes on a
great deal of responsibility.
"I have immense respect for Philipp's career and
his decision. What remains is for all of us to say
a big thank you."
Meanwhile German chancellor Angela Merkel, who
was pictured celebrating with the German team
after their victory in Brazil, said "I would like to
express to him my utmost respect for what he
has done for the national team."
Lahm made his debut for Germany in a 2-1
victory over Croatia in February 2004 and became
German captain prior to the 2010 World Cup after
injury to then captain Michael Ballack.
Traditionally a right sided defender, Lahm has
been deployed more often as a central midfielder
by Bayern and Germany over the past season.
This was a role he played in the early games of
the 2014 World Cup before reverting to right back
after injury to Shkodran Mustafi.
Only three players -- Lothar Matthuas (150
caps), Miroslav Klose (137 caps) and Lukas
Podolski (116 caps) -- have made more
appearances for the German national team
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