7M - Philipp Lahm: Bayern's Great Captain

Posted Sunday, February 26, 2017 by 7M Sport

After Bayern Munich's 1-0 DFB-Pokal win over Wolfsburg on 7 February, Philipp Lahm announced his retirement from football at the end of the 2016-17 Bundesliga campaign.

Since his contract with Bayern will last until 2018, Lahm's plan to quit ahead of schedule comes as a surprise to the Bundesliga giants. Carlo Ancelotti has tried to change Lahm's mind, and Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus also believes Lahm is able to play for 2 more years. But Lahm reveals he is unsure whether he would be able to retain his best form beyond May, which is the main reason for his choice of hanging up his boots. Anyway, we should respect Lahm's decision. Now let's look back at his impressive career.

Born on 11 November, 1983, Lahm joined Bayern youth academy at the age of 12. In 2003, 19-yead-old Lahm was loaned to Stuttgart for 2 seasons. There, he quickly established himself as the regular left-back. In that season, Stuttgart managed to progress from the Champions League group stage and ranked 4th in the league table.

In February of 2005, Lahm made his first appearance for the national team in Germany's 2-1 win over Croatia, where he was named man of the match.

Lahm returned to Bayern in the summer of 2005. The youngster gradually earned himself in the starting XI and won the double with the Bundesliga giants.

7M - Philipp Lahm: Bayern's Great Captain

Perhaps the journey in 2006 World Cup is one of Lahm's most unforgettable moments in his career. He scored a sensational goal in Germany's opening game against Costa Rica, which made him rise to fame. In that competition, Lahm played for every minute in all 7 games.

In the semi-final of UEFA Euro 2008, Lahm scored a winner at the death of Germany's encounter with Turkey. Lahm once confessed that it was his most important goal in his career. Germany sealed a 3-2 win and made into the final. Although they lost the final to Spain, that was already the best record in Germany's recent journeys in European Championship.

2010 was a special year for Lahm. In addition to winning another double with Bayern, Lahm made his first appearance in the Champions League final, despite a loss to Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan.

7M - Philipp Lahm: Bayern's Great Captain

With the departure of midfielder Mark van Bommel, Lahm was named as Bayern's new captain in 2011-12 season, when he was already the skipper of Germany national team. In that season, Bayern once again made into the final of Champions League. But Chelsea's resilience defeated the Bundesliga champions. Lahm missed the title at arm's length for the 2nd time. After the final whistle of that game, Bayern's players were lying on the ground in sadness, except Lahm. He knew that as a captain, he should take the responsibility and never give up.

Luckily, Lahm's regret was compensated in the next season when Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund at Wembley thanks to Arjen Robben's winner. Lahm finally lifted the trophy of Champions League. In that season, Lahm led Bayern to an unprecedented treble as they beat his old side, Stuttgart, in the DFB-Pokal final.

7M - Philipp Lahm: Bayern's Great Captain

Lahm's pursuit of an international honor was realized in 2014 Brazil World Cup. After thrashing the hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final, unstoppable Germany defeated Argentina in the final to claim their 4th world champions. After that tournament, Lahm announced his quit from Germany national team to focus solely on Bayern.

Soon after making his 500th appearance for the German giants, Lahm announced that he would retire at the end of the 2016-17 season, which is 1 year ahead of schedule.

In Lahm's career, he has won 7 Bundesliga titles, 6 DFB-Pokal trophies, 1 Champions League victory with Bayern. The defender also captained Germany to 2014 World Cup glory. What is worth mentioning is that Lahm has never been sent off so far in his career, which is praiseworthy for a defender. Will Lahm grab some other titles before his retirement? Let's wait and see.

(7M / Oliver)