Massively underrated, a quiet leader, touted by Pep Guardiola as "one of the most intelligent players" he'd ever come across with (maybe biased as Bayern's coach, but speaks volume considering the players he had played with and coached).
Interestingly, before this WC, I had the urge of spending some extra bucks on a #16 jersey - probably because as we all knew, this was possibly the last chance Lahm (and Schweinsteiger) would have to make a shot at an international trophy in their careers. Also, as superstitious a sports fan as I am, buying Team Canada's 2010 Olympics sweater ended up good fortune, so why not try it again. To add on another personal connection: I am a similar small figure as the "Magic Dwarf", playing same positions as fullback and defensive midfield - he easily became one of my role models (along with Schweini - I was wearing #16 inside and #7 outside for the final). Now, I can proudly/luckily say I did it.
It was a shocking decision for the world. I was really hoping the duo could finish the circle and bow out with a Euro in 2016. But, as they say, you never know... Better to seize the moment while you have it.
Philipp Lahm, my captain, you will be dearly missed!
http://www.espnfc.com/fifa-world-cup/4/blog/post/1953800/susie-schaaf-writes-about-philipp-lahms-retirement-from-the-german-national-team
ReplyDeletehttp://www.espnfc.com/team/germany/481/blog/post/1945281/time-to-recognise-philipp-lahms-genius