Lahm retires from Germany team

German players - Philipp Lahm with trophy, Schweinsteiger, Thomas Mueller and Sami Khedira, arrive at Tegel airport in Berlin on Tuesday. Philipp Lahm is to retire from the national team, it was confirmed by the German Football Association DFB on Friday. File photo

Germany’s World Cup winning captain Philipp Lahm is to retire from the national team, it was confirmed by the German Football Association DFB on Friday.

The 30-year-old Bayern Munich defender led his country to a fourth World Cup title in Brazil but decided to step back from the team.

“I already told Joachim Loew on Monday, that I would retire from the national team,” Lahm told Germany’s

Bild newspaper . “The decision to do so developed during last season.” Lahm and his team-mates returned to a hero’s welcome in Berlin on Tuesday after Mario Goetze’s extra-time goal earned a 1-0 win over Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final.

Winning the World Cup is the pinnacle of Lahm’s career to date, which also includes a Champions League title, six Bundesliga titles and six German Cups.

“Philipp telephoned this morning to inform me personally about this step,” DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach told the association homepage. “Very quickly in the conversation I realised it was futile to try to talk him out of his decision.

“He was in his 10 years with the national team not only an outstanding player but also an absolute role model. I have thanked him for all he has done for the DFB.” Lahm began his Germany career in February 2004 with a 2-1 win away to Croatia. He went on to earn 113 caps for his country and scored five goals, most notably in the opening game of the 2006 World Cup against Costa Rica.

Before winning the World Cup in 2014, Lahm claimed third-place in the 2006 and 2010 tournaments, and was runner-up at Euro 2008. He also played at Euros 2004 and 2012.

Lahm’s contract with Bundesliga champions Bayern was renewed before the World Cup and runs to 2018.