Philipp Lahm leaves on a high

Germany captain Philipp Lahm ended his international career just five days after leading his country to a World Cup triumph in Brazil. Tributes immediately poured in for the 30-year-old Bayern Munich full back who has played 113 games for Germany. His career, already packed with Champions League and Bundesliga titles, culminated in the 1-0 victory over Argentina that made Lahm only the 20th World Cup winning captain. He showed off the World Cup to an estimated 500,000 people who gave the team a heroes' welcome in Berlin . The international retirement, confirmed by Lahm's agent Roman Grill, to the SID sports news agency, a subsidiary of AFP, took Germany by surprise. But the German Football Federation (DFB) confirmed that it would have to find a new captain. Lahm leaves behind a rich legacy and in his own cool inimitable way was one of best defenders in the World. The World Cup win is fitting end to a glorious International career. Take a bow Lahm. No flamboyance , no larger than life image but rock solid on the ground. Typical German precision