Germany team captain Philipp Lahm has retired from international competition after leading his country to the World Cup.
The 30-year-old Bayern Munich full-back played 113 games for his country and more importantly provided the leadership that enabled the Germans to turn back a stubborn Argentina in the World Cup final. After announcing his retirement from international competition, Lahm was greeted with tributes.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, via the Associated Press, said: "I would like to express (to Lahm) my greatest respect for all he has done for the national team."
DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach learned of the former captain's decision on Friday. He praised Lahm for being an extraordinary footballer and role model. "For 'Die Mannschaft' it will not be easy to replace Philipp Lahm as a player, as a person and as captain," he added.
Lahm's retirement was a surprise to Germany, which had just defeated Argentina 1-0 and made the Bayern Munich mainstay only the fourth German captain to lift the World Cup. He has been with the German national team since 2004.
But Lahm said that he had been considering retirement from international competition even before flying to Brazil. "I made the decision that the World Cup in Brazil would be my final tournament," he was quoted as saying.
Lahm has been the German team captain since 2010. He was close to coach Joachim Loew, whom he informed about his decision the morning after their rousing World Cup win.
But the full-back will remain playing for the Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, where he has a live contract that would expire in 2018.
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