Germany captain Philipp Lahm retires from national team

Germany captain Philipp Lahm announced his retirement from the national team on Friday following Germany's World Cup victory. The 30-year-old defender, who will

Germany captain Philipp Lahm announced his retirement from the national team on Friday following Germany's World Cup victory.

The 30-year-old defender, who will continue to play for Bayern Munich, made 113 appearances during his career with Germany. The World Cup win capped off a strong two-year run for Lahm. From FIFA:

"This was a decision which had matured during last season," Lahm told Sport Bildmagazine after winning his ninth trophy in just two years.

As well as the World Cup, Lahm also won the Bundesliga twice, the DFB-Pokal twice, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the German Supercup, and the FIFA Club World Cup for Bayern during that time.

 Germany's World Cup victory was its first in 24 years and fourth all-time, though 2014 was the first time a unified Germany won the tournament.

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- Paul Palladino