TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Philipp Lahm, Germany national team captain, who led his team to win the World Cup, decided to retire from international football. The decision was quite shocking considering his age is relatively young to retire from the national team. In modern football era, 40-year-old player like Ryan Giggs could still be doing well in the field.

“This was a decision which had matured during last season,” Lahm told Sport Bild magazine as cited by The Telegraph.

Since Lahm has made the decision, German Football Federation (DFB) President Wolfgang Niersbach said that he could not much to change Lahm’s mind.

“Philipp called me this morning and informed me personally of this step,” Niersbach said. “During our talk, I realized very quickly that it would be pointless trying to talk him out of his decision.”

Bayern Munich Chief Executive Karl Heniz Rummenigge was also shocked with the decision. He said that Lahm would be tough to replace as a player, man and captain.

Lahm will spend the rest of his career in his club, Bayern Munich where he had contributed many trophies, including two domestic league titles, DFB-Pokal, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Germany Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

TELEGRAPH | IB