BERLIN : World Cup-winning 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 player 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.