World Cup winner Philipp Lahm has announced his retirement from international football, according to the BBC. The fullback won the competition with Germany at this summer's finals in Brazil and believes now is the right time to step down from the national side. The defender began his international career in the U-17 team in 1999 and also represented his country at U-18, U-19, U-20 and U-21 levels, and was part of the squad that won silver for Germany at the U-19 European championships in 2002. His first game in the senior side came against Croatia in February 2004 but ended in a 2-1 defeat. His last appearance was against Argentina on July 13, with Germany winning the World Cup thanks to a 1-0 win. Lahm said in an open letter on the DFB website:
"I am happy and grateful that the end of my career with the national team coincides with winning the World Cup in Brazil."
Despite his retirement from the international scene, the 30-year-old intends to continue playing for Bayern Munich. Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge echoed Lahm's comments, and said:
"There is hardly a better farewell than to be a world champion at the peak of your career."
Lahm made 113 appearances for Germany, and scored five goals. He captained his country during the 2010 World Cup, and became the youngest person to do so.