Germany captain Philipp Lahm retires from internationals

Berlin: World Cup-winning German captain Philipp Lahm has retired from playing for Germany.

The German Football Federation (DFB) says the 30-year-old Lahm informed its president Wolfgang Niersbach of his decision in a telephone call on Friday.

Lahm played 113 games for Germany since his debut in a 2-1 victory over Croatia on Feb. 18, 2004.

Niersbach says, "I could tell very early in the conversation that it was futile to try to talk him out of his decision. He wasn't only an outstanding playing in 10 years with the national team, but always an absolute role model. I thanked him for everything he delivered for the DFB."

Germany coach Joachim Loew was informed of Lahm's decision on Monday.

Lahm recently extended his contract with Bundesliga champion Bayern Munich to 2018.

Five facts on Philipp Lahm:

1- Lahm, one of the best defenders of his generation, has played 113 games for Germany in an international career that started in February, 2004 in a 2-1 win over Croatia. His last game was the 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.

2- Although a defender, Lahm scored five times for Germany. He says his most important came in the 90th minute of the 2008 European Championship semi-final against Turkey. In the final it was a mistake between Lahm and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann that cost the goal that gave Spain victory.

3- Lahm, who has played as left and right back, joined Bayern Munich at 11. He made his debut for the senior side in 2002, but the side had so many top defenders that he was loaned out to Vfb Stuttgart from 2003 to 2005.

4- Lahm has had to battle back from serious injury several times. On his return from Stuttgart to Bayern, he had a torn cruciate ligament which kept him out for six months. At the same time he also had a stress fracture of his foot.

5- Bayern imposed its then biggest ever disciplinary fine against Lahm in November 2009, reported to be more than 25,000 euros, for giving a newspaper interview in which he criticised the club transfer policy and its tactics. He was made club captain in 2011 and led the team to their 2013 Champions League, German title and German Cup triple triumph.