Germany's Philipp Lahm Retires From International Football

Photo: Philipp Lahm with 2014 WC trophy

Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm has officially announced he has ended his international career.
The 30-year-old Germany captain who led his team to the sensational victory at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, made this known Friday, July 18, goal.com reports.
Interestingly, this move comes just as the national team has written itself into football historical records, after demolishing Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final game of the World Cup and topping the recently released FIFA ranking.
2014 Mundial Golden Ball nominee came up with the decision which shocked millions of Germany fans just as he revealed to Sport Bild:
"I told Jogi Low about my decision to retire from international football on Monday. I’d been thinking about it over the course of last season. I am delighted that things all came together with this World Cup win.  I gave DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach a call this morning and thanked him and everybody else at the DFB for the last few years."

Having become the "full-time" captain (since replacing permanently Michael Ballack) in 2011, Lahm had made 113 appearances for the national team and now occupies the 4th place in the all-time rankings behind Lothar Matthaus (150 caps), Miroslav Klose (137) and Lukas Podolski (116).
Lahm featured at the European Championships of 2004, 2008 and 2012, as well as at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Bayern Munich right-back is however to continue career in his club, which held a brilliant season winning the Bundesliga under the management of Barcelona’s ex-boss Jose Guardiola.
Meanwhile according to the latest club news, Bayern Munich’s midfielder Toni Kroos, who also played a key role in Germany’s win at the just-concluded World Cup, has joined the UEFA Champions League title holders Real Madrid.

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