<p>Germany captain Philipp Lahm stunned his homeland on Friday by quitting international soccer at the age of 30, five days after leading his side to World Cup victory in Brazil.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"During last season I made a decision to end my international career after the World Cup," Lahm wrote in an open letter on the German soccer federation website.<br /><br />"I shared my decision with Germany coach Joachim Loew at breakfast on Monday. I am happy and thankful that the end of my national team career coincided with winning the World Cup in Brazil.<br /><br />"I have been on holiday for the past three days and here I have had the quiet and time to mentally come to terms with the end of my national team career. A heartfelt thank you for a wonderful time."<br /><br />Lahm's decision came as a shock to German soccer federation (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach. "Philipp called me this morning and personally told me the news," Niersbach said. "Very quickly into the conversation I realised that it was futile to try to change his mind.<br /><br />"He was not only an outstanding player in his 10 years with the national team but always a perfect role model. I thanked him for all that he has done for the DFB."<br /><br />Lahm's success and gravitas was such that even German Chancellor Angela Merkel commented on his decision.<br /><br />"I'd like to express my respect for what he achieved with the national team," she said.<br />Lahm, who picked up the last of his 113 caps in the 1-0 World Cup final victory over Argentina on Sunday, will continue playing for club side Bayern Munich.<br /><br />"There is hardly a better farewell than to be a world champion at the peak of your career," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said of Lahm's retirement.<br /><br />Many German fans also reacted with disbelief on Twitter given Lahm's relatively young age to quit the international scene. Germany's dominant performance in Brazil, including a 7-1 thrashing of the hosts in the semifinals, also suggested an assault on Euro 2016 glory was well within their and Lahm's reach.<br /><br />Lahm, who started his Germany career in February2004, was one of the top players in Brazil as he effortlessly switched between midfield and right back. He barely made a mistake all month and was among the nominees for the player of the tournament award.<br />The Bayern captain has enjoyed a stellar career having also led his club side to a Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup treble in 2013.</p>
<p>Germany captain Philipp Lahm stunned his homeland on Friday by quitting international soccer at the age of 30, five days after leading his side to World Cup victory in Brazil.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"During last season I made a decision to end my international career after the World Cup," Lahm wrote in an open letter on the German soccer federation website.<br /><br />"I shared my decision with Germany coach Joachim Loew at breakfast on Monday. I am happy and thankful that the end of my national team career coincided with winning the World Cup in Brazil.<br /><br />"I have been on holiday for the past three days and here I have had the quiet and time to mentally come to terms with the end of my national team career. A heartfelt thank you for a wonderful time."<br /><br />Lahm's decision came as a shock to German soccer federation (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach. "Philipp called me this morning and personally told me the news," Niersbach said. "Very quickly into the conversation I realised that it was futile to try to change his mind.<br /><br />"He was not only an outstanding player in his 10 years with the national team but always a perfect role model. I thanked him for all that he has done for the DFB."<br /><br />Lahm's success and gravitas was such that even German Chancellor Angela Merkel commented on his decision.<br /><br />"I'd like to express my respect for what he achieved with the national team," she said.<br />Lahm, who picked up the last of his 113 caps in the 1-0 World Cup final victory over Argentina on Sunday, will continue playing for club side Bayern Munich.<br /><br />"There is hardly a better farewell than to be a world champion at the peak of your career," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said of Lahm's retirement.<br /><br />Many German fans also reacted with disbelief on Twitter given Lahm's relatively young age to quit the international scene. Germany's dominant performance in Brazil, including a 7-1 thrashing of the hosts in the semifinals, also suggested an assault on Euro 2016 glory was well within their and Lahm's reach.<br /><br />Lahm, who started his Germany career in February2004, was one of the top players in Brazil as he effortlessly switched between midfield and right back. He barely made a mistake all month and was among the nominees for the player of the tournament award.<br />The Bayern captain has enjoyed a stellar career having also led his club side to a Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup treble in 2013.</p>