indierich06 Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Philipp Lahm's announced he's giving up the Germany captaincy and resigning - what's all this about then? The bloke's only 30 years old, I thought he'd at least hang about until Euro 2016, where Germany will surely be a shoe-in to win? He's a big player to replace - he would be the first name on most German fans teamsheets I would've thought.
Grandad. Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Philipp Lahm's announced he's giving up the Germany captaincy and resigning - what's all this about then? The bloke's only 30 years old, I thought he'd at least hang about until Euro 2016, where Germany will surely be a shoe-in to win? He's a big player to replace - he would be the first name on most German fans teamsheets I would've thought. Retire at 30, World Cup winning captain. Fair play. Best way to go out.
Finnegan Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 He's about to turn 31, has just captained his country to the world cup, will be nearly 33 by the next euros and 35 by the next world cup. He has 113 caps, a host of talented youngsters competing for the DM spot and Germany need to start blooding new full backs as they're lacking there. Add all of that to the German policy of cultivating youth and really it's a no brainer. Gives him plenty of time to focus on his club career at one of Europe's biggest sides.
Guest MattP Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Perfect time to go, he's a a very intelligent bloke as well, he'll have far more interests other than football now and probably will want to spend his summers doing something different. Football legend, what a player.
HEGGSY Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 I can't believe he's only 30 Seems like he's been around for an eternity.
C-man Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Greatest full-back in my lifetime. Incredible career and definitely the right decision for the longevity of his club playing days as well as for their national side's future.
Guest MattP Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Andrea Pirlo likes to sit and watch his grapes grow in his vineyard, Lahm will probably be doing the same but with some outrageously competant, consistent and splendid German brew. I can't imagine Wayne Rooney or Daniel Sturridge doing such. I've only written this as an excuse to post this great picture of Pirlo.
Corky Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Andrea Pirlo likes to sit and watch his grapes grow in his vineyard, Lahm will probably be doing the same but with some outrageously competant, consistent and splendid German brew. I can't imagine Wayne Rooney or Daniel Sturridge doing such. I've only written this as an excuse to post this great picture of Pirlo. Given the amount of space he has, that could've been taken during the World Cup game
Guest MattP Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Given the amount of space he has, that could've been taken during the World Cup game Needs to be photoshopped with Gerrard and Henderson either side doesn't it?
Grandad. Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Hope Steven Gerrard has taken note of this, I know Lahm is retiring on the ultimate high but Gerrard is older than Lahm and really should be retiring too.
Guest Col city fan Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Literally one of the best players I've ever seen. Solid, dependable, great tackler, can play more than one position. Exceptional footballer. And, I imagine, a dream to work with. Struggling to think of anybody better (at what he does) for over a decade. Can't believe he's only 30 though. Feels like he's been around forever.
Sampson Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Was thinking about this earlier. You'd have to say, along with the 2 Brazilian full-backs of the late 90s - Roberto Carlos and Cafu, they have been the 3 best full-backs of the past 20 or 25 years and they stand in at 5ft6, 5ft7 and 5ft9 respectively. Just shows how the full-back position has progressed perhaps more than any other position over the past 20 or 25 years. Before that full-backs all needed to be strong and big, nowadays the more effective full-backs seem to be small and nimble.
RowlattsFox Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Surprised he's retired at 30, I thought he'd have a go at winning the euros but understand why he has done it know. A top player and always seems a model professional. Can play anywhere without fuss and you never see him diving, shouting at the ref or opposition etc. just oozes respect. A rare trait for a modern full back is that he can attack just as well as he can defend. Difficult to replace, wouldn't be surprised to see Schwienstieger not far behind him.
Pride_Of_The_Midlands Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 I think if you win the World Cup and you are 28+ then you should retire from international football. Best to go out on the ultimate high than to stay on and do worse 4 years later e.g. Cannavaro 2010, Xavi 2014.
purpleronnie Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 I think if you win the World Cup and you are 28+ then you should retire from international football. Best to go out on the ultimate high than to stay on and do worse 4 years later e.g. Cannavaro 2010, Xavi 2014. gerrard lampard etc....
Pride_Of_The_Midlands Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 gerrard lampard etc.... Yeah but they haven't won the World Cup.
purpleronnie Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Yeah but they haven't won the World Cup. I'm sure they believed they could.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Was thinking about this earlier. You'd have to say, along with the 2 Brazilian full-backs of the late 90s - Roberto Carlos and Cafu, they have been the 3 best full-backs of the past 20 or 25 years and they stand in at 5ft6, 5ft7 and 5ft9 respectively. Just shows how the full-back position has progressed perhaps more than any other position over the past 20 or 25 years. Before that full-backs all needed to be strong and big, nowadays the more effective full-backs seem to be small and nimble. I'd argue (and I'm more than willing to be shot down, here) that as much as I love Carlos, Cole was / is a more consistent and dependably brilliant full-back.
Fox92 Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 I think if you win the World Cup and you are 28+ then you should retire from international football. Best to go out on the ultimate high than to stay on and do worse 4 years later e.g. Cannavaro 2010, Xavi 2014. Cannavaro is still remembered as a great player, indeed one of the greatest of my time, just like Xavi will be. Just because they didn't win the World Cup again doesn't change that. Look at Zidane, yes people remember that headbutt, but people still talk about his World Cup final goals against Brazil and that European Cup final goal. Likewise, I personally don't think you have to win the World Cup to be considered a legend. I think you have to perform on the World Cup stage, and maybe drag your nation at times, but you don't have to win it. Look at Cruyff, Van Basten and Platini - three of the greatest players ever.
foxfanazer Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Was thinking about this earlier. You'd have to say, along with the 2 Brazilian full-backs of the late 90s - Roberto Carlos and Cafu, they have been the 3 best full-backs of the past 20 or 25 years and they stand in at 5ft6, 5ft7 and 5ft9 respectively. Just shows how the full-back position has progressed perhaps more than any other position over the past 20 or 25 years. Before that full-backs all needed to be strong and big, nowadays the more effective full-backs seem to be small and nimble. I'm going to get ripped apart for saying this I know but add Ashley Cole to that list
C-man Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 I'm going to get ripped apart for saying this I know but add Ashley Cole to that list Nope I agree completely - he would be in my lifetime XI ahead of Roberto Carlos. England's one truly world class player over the last 10 years.
foxfanazer Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 Nope I agree completely - he would be in my lifetime XI ahead of Roberto Carlos. England's one truly world class player over the last 10 years.
HEGGSY Posted 18 July 2014 Posted 18 July 2014 My lifetime (bearing in mind I'm 18) Cole and Lahm are by far the best full backs I've seen, Cole may be seen as a cu n t, but he's a fantastic footballer.
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