Philipp Lahm

Long-time Bayern Munich captain and one of the greatest full-backs of all time.

Philipp Lahm (born 11 November 1983) is a German former professional footballer who played as a full-back or midfielder. Widely regarded as one of the greatest full-backs of all time, Lahm was the long-time captain of Bayern Munich, having led them to numerous honours including the UEFA Champions League in 2013 as part of the treble. He is also a former captain of his national team, which he led to win the 2014 FIFA World Cup, before retiring from international football. His 113 appearances make him the eighth-most capped player in Germany’s history.

Quick Facts

Born

11 November 1983

Birthplace

Munich, West Germany

Height

1.70 m / 5 ft 7 in

Position

Right-back
left-back
midfielder

Total caps

448

Total goals

Lore & Background

Lahm joined the Bayern Munich Junior Team at age 11 after being scouted by Jan Pienta. He twice won the Bundesliga youth title, the second time as captain, and was introduced into the B team at 17. He made his first-team debut on 13 November 2002 as a 92nd-minute substitute in a 3–3 draw with Lens in the Champions League. He was loaned to VfB Stuttgart for the 2003–04 and 2004–05 seasons.

At Stuttgart, he made his Bundesliga debut on the first day of the 2003–04 season against Hansa Rostock, scored his first Bundesliga goal on 3 April 2004 in a 5–1 win at VfL Wolfsburg, and came second in the election for Germany Footballer of the Year. After returning to Bayern in July 2005, he scored his first goal for the club on 20 August 2006 in a 2–1 win at VfL Bochum. On 8 November 2009, he was given the highest fine in Bayern's history (over €25,000) for an unauthorised interview criticizing the club's transfer policy.

He was made vice-captain under Louis van Gaal in 2009–10, and after Mark van Bommel's departure in January 2011, Lahm became captain. He captained Bayern to the treble in 2012–13, including a 2–1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.

Reader's Guide

Lahm played as a defensive midfielder, right midfielder, or right full-back in his youth. At Stuttgart, coach Felix Magath moved him to left-back. At Bayern, he played left-back until the 2009–10 season when Louis van Gaal moved him to his preferred right-back position. Under Pep Guardiola from 2013–14, Lahm was utilised as a defensive midfielder. Guardiola called him 'perhaps the most intelligent player I have ever trained.'

Did You Know?

Lahm was included in the World Cup team of the tournament in 2006, 2010, and 2014.
He was in the UEFA Team of the Tournament in 2008 and 2012, and the UEFA Team of the Year in 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Lahm scored Bayern's second penalty in the 2012 Champions League final shootout against Chelsea, after Mario Gomez missed the first.