Lahm: Out on a High

     10 glistening years. 10 glistening years of work, work, work. Defence or midfield, club or country, Philipp Lahm has always performed on the big stage. Last Sunday, he performed on the biggest stage for the last time, captaining his country to World Cup glory. This would prove to be the last time he pulled on a Germany shirt - a week later, he announced his retirement from the international game. At least, Lahm can reflect on his outstanding career and say "I've won the World Cup". Total Football is here to analyse an illustrious Germany career.

Fact File
Full name: Philipp Lahm
Date of Birth: 11th November 1983
Position: Full back/Defensive midfielder
Clubs: Bayern Munich II (2001-2003), VfB Stuttgart (loan, 2003-2005), Bayern Munich (2002-present)
International debut: 18th February 2004
International record: 113 game/5 goals

2004

• International debut: Germany 2-1 Croatia - Lahm plays the full ninety minutes in Split and was chosen as Man of the Match in German sports magazine Kicker.
• Was an ever-present as Germany are knocked out of the European Championships in the group stage.

2005

• Lahm tears his cruciate ligament and receives a stress fracture in his foot. He misses the Confederations Cup, held in Germany, and does not return to action until March the next year.

2006

• FIFA World Cup, Germany: Lahm returns to action in sublime fashion scoring the first goal of the World Cup in his home country.
• Man of the Match in second game against Poland.
• Is present in the FIFA All-Star team for the tournament.

2007

• Plays the full ninety minutes as Germany defeat their fierce rivals England 2-1, the Three Lions' first defeat at the New Wembley.

2008

• Plays in every game as Germany reach the final of the European Championships.
• Scores the semi-final winner against Turkey.
• Fernando Torres beats Lahm to the ball to score the only goal in the final: Spain 2-1 Germany

2010

• Captains Germany at the World Cup after regular captain, Michael Ballack withdraws through injury. In doing so, Lahm became the country's youngest captain, aged 26.
• Helps the team to third place in the tournament, losing to Spain in the semi-finals.
• Captaincy turns permanent after it is announced that Ballack will play no further part in Joachim Low's plans.

2011

• The Subtle Difference: How to Become a Top Footballer, Lahm's autobiography, is released in August.

2012

• Lahm is ever-present once more when helping his country to the semi-finals of the European Championships.
• Scores in Germany's 4-2 victory over Greece.
• Named in the Team of the Tournament for the second Euros in a row.

2013

• Starts to adapt to a new role as a defensive midfielder.
• Receives his 100th Germany cap in a 3-0 win over Austria. 

2014

• Wins the World Cup as captain after playing in every game.
• Is part of the side that demolishes the hosts, Brazil, 7-1 in the semi-finals.
• Named on the shortlist for the Golden Ball.
• Announces retirement from international football after 113 games for Die Mannschaft.

A phenomenal talent wherever he is asked to play, we must not forget this is not the end of the road for Philipp Lahm, he is still there to put his body on the line as captain of Bayern Munich. Amongst all of his personal awards, such as the 100 cap milestone and the Team of the Tournament appearances, there is only one thing that he, his country and its fans will care about. Philipp Lahm went out on a high...