Just days after leading Germany toWorld Cup glory in Brazil, captain Philipp Lahm called it a day on his international career, giving the footballing world a bolt out of the blue. Ever since he took over as captain, the fullback was a source of motivation to his team-mates and exuded great humility on and off the pitch.The void left behind will certainly bea difficult one to fill and Joachim Low's task of finding an effective replacement has already begun. In the wake of his retirement, here are 5 memorable moments from Lahm's illustrious career with Germany.
#5 The opening goal against Costa Rica in the 2006 World Cup
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Philipp Lahm made his World Cup debut on home soil in 2006 in what was called the beginning of the renaissance of German football. He opened the scoring at the World Cup when he scored with a beautiful right foot curler from just inside the penalty box.
The goal was worth admiring for its precision and class, and it also heralded the arrival of a new Germany, one which played fast, attacking football.
#4 The winner against Turkey in the Euro 2008 semi-finals
Philipp Lahm managed to find the back of the net just 5 times in his international career, but the most important one came during the Euro 2008 semi-finals when his last gasp goal propelled Germany into the finals.
Turkey threatened to take the game into extra time with a late equaliser, but Lahm neatly converted a Hitzlsprger cross in the 90th minute to make it 3-2 and send Germany to the finals.
#3 Wearing the captain\'s armband for the first time
Lahm took over the captaincy for the first time in his careerin 2007, when Germany played England in the newly opened Wembley stadium and managed a 'come-from-behind' victory over the hosts.
He was given the armband when Bernd Schneider was subbed off in the 91st minute in amatch that saw Germany defeat England 2-1 in the newly opened stadium.
#2 Youngest player to captain Germany at a World Cup
The then Germany captain Michael Ballack was forced to pull out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa due to an injury, following which the responsibility of leading Die Mannschaft rested with Philipp Lahm.
In what is now common knowledge, Lahm has been the captain of the German national team ever since, and has led his country with great honour to good performances in both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, before winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
#1 Leading Germany to the World Cup title in 2014
The 24-year long wait for the 4th World Cup crown ended in Brazil, when Germany beat Argentina 1-0 in a thrilling encounter with Lahm being a key component of the team.
Having excelled in the mid-field role for his club Bayern Munich under Pep Giardiola during the season, Lahm was deployed in that position during the group stages and against Algeria, but was moved back to his natural position at right back for the remainder of the tournament where he performed his role to perfection.
He was a prominent figure for the team throughout the tournament and rightly earned himself a place amongst the 10 best players of the competition.
