Philipp Lahm’s retirement announcement is the end of an era

The soccer world was rocked on Tuesday when Philipp Lahm announced that he’s retiring at the end of the season. The 33-year-old Bayern Munich fullback is hanging up his cleats after 12 years in the first team, and his announcement heralds the end of one of the best eras in club history.

During his career, Lahm has helped Bayern win seven Bundesliga titles, and right now they look set to make that eight. On top of that, he’s won the DFB Pokal six times, the Champions League once, and he helped Germany win the World Cup in 2014. He’s one of the most-decorated German players in recent history.

Even outside of his incredible collection of trophies, Lahm has widely been acknowledged as one of the best fullbacks, and best players overall, in the world during much of his career. His constant presence in the Bayern side over the last decade-plus, stepping into whatever position or role his manager needed him in, gave them a rock to rely on, one that they’re going to miss a lot when he’s gone.

No matter what the future holds for Bayern without him, we want to wish Philipp Lahm the best in his future. He had a fantastic career, and hopefully whatever comes next for him goes at least as well.

USMNT forward Bobby Wood scored a big goal for HSV in Germany. (r/soccer)

The Ghana national team and manager Avram Grant have agreed to part ways. (Ghana FA)

PRO has hired ex-EPL referee Howard Webb to oversee the MLS video replay system currently in development. (Sports Illustrated)

English FA chairman Greg Clarke has threatened to resign if the government doesn’t back his reform proposals. (Guardian)

Suspended Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has decided to waive his wages during his ban. (BBC)

Luis Suárez is angry about his red card against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, insisting that it wasn’t even a foul. (ESPNFC)

Longtime EPL striker Djibril Cissé announced his retirement to become a professional DJ. (Telegraph)

Andi Thomas shares the lessons Leicester City learned last weekend about what’s causing their struggles this season.

Mark Douglas explains the reasoning behind Rafa Benítez clearing out so much experience from the Newcastle squad. (Chronicle)

Kevin Sampson recounts his harrowing experience at the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. (Guardian)

Michael Cox thinks that the old mind games that made the Premier League what it was are all but gone. (ESPNFC)

Barcelona survived going down to nine men against Atlético Madrid to advance to the Copa del Rey final. (Barca Blaugranes)

Bayern Munich weren’t at their best, but still had enough to beat Wolfsburg in the DFB Pokal. (Bavarian Football Works)

Fiorentina got absolutely demolished by Roma in Serie A action. (Chiesa di Totti)

Serie A: Crotone vs. Juventus (12 p.m.): Juventus need to win in authoritative fashion to extend their uncomfortably narrow lead atop the Italian table.

Serie A: Bologna vs. AC Milan (2:45 p.m.): Milan are in a three-match losing streak, and they need to find a way to snap it before it becomes a full-blown tailspin.

FA Cup: Leicester City vs. Derby County (2:45 p.m.): The fallen Premier League winners really need a win right now to help pick up their spirits after getting crushed in the league last weekend.

Copa del Rey: Deportivo Alaves vs. Celta Vigo (3 p.m.): With a 0-0 aggregate score after the first leg, this tie is still completely up in the air with a place in the Copa del Rey final still up for grabs.

International Friendly: Mexico vs. Iceland (10 p.m.): El Tri are in Las Vegas for a tune-up before next month’s World Cup qualifying matches.