Germany captain Philipp Lahm has opted to bow out of international football on a high.
Philipp Lahm retires from international football
Germany’s captain has retired from international football days after winning the World Cup.
Karina Hessland
The 30-year-old has announced that Sunday's World Cup final victory over Argentina was his final game for Die Mannschaft, after 113 appearances in an international career spanning a decade.
Joachim Löw, coach of the German national team, responded in an article posted on the German FA’s official website:
"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. Philipp was always a significant and extremely important contact for me, and I discussed our ideas with him.
"He can be proud of his career because he is a magnificent player with a big heart, passion and character, who has achieved a lot for the DFB. Philipp will continue to be a vital part of the FC Bayern team. I wish him all the best both professionally and privately. Thank you, Philipp!"
Lahm was ever-present in Germany's successful World Cup campaign, though only really shone when shifted into his natural position of right-back in their final couple of matches. Die Mannschaft don't really have a natural replacement for Lahm in that spot, leaving coach Löw with a dilemma in his future squads.
He'll also have to decide on a new captain, though that role will likely be filled by current vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger.
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