In football, there are exceptional players who are loved by even rival fans due to their talent and attitude. These legends have been retiring in numbers this season, and another looks set to wave goodbye.
On Tuesday, Philipp Lahm announced that he will officially hang up his boots as a professional player once the ongoing season comes to an end, calling time to his career with the Bavarians almost 15 years after making his senior debut.
The German legend made this announcement on Tuesday after their DFB Pokal clash with Wolfsburg, which the Bundesliga leaders won 1-0. Lahm, an advocate for retiring whilst at the top, admitted that he can continue for this remainder of this season but not past it.
"I've told the Bayern officials that I'm retiring from playing at the end of the season," the World Cup winner said (as per Kicker).
BREAKING: Official: Philipp Lahm confirms that he will retire from football in the summer pic.twitter.com/cazD1jBOB8
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) February 7, 2017
Philipp Lahm is retiring at the end of the season:
— The F2 (@TheF2) February 7, 2017
501 Bayern games
113 Germany caps
21 major trophies
0 red cards
Legend pic.twitter.com/u75nMS7PZb
“I see my style of leadership in the way that I give my best every day, in training and in every game. I think I'm capable of doing that until the end of the season but no longer than that.
"Therefore it's clear to me that I'm going to retire. I said over a year ago that you've got to always check and ask yourself, how are you training and how you are feeling.
"I'm sure that I can deliver top performances until the end of the season, but no longer than that."
Lahm has already quit the national side. After guiding them to success at the 2014 World Cup, he hung up his boots and made way for the younger generation.
The 33-year-old has amassed 501 appearances for Bayern Munich, and could win a whopping 8th Bundesliga title should they maintain their lead.
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