FC Bayern Munchen News

The Germany coach has gushed that the Bayern defender, who captained the nation to their first World Cup in 24 years last summer, deserves more credit for his talent

Joachim Low believes that Philipp Lahm deserves to be considered as the best player of the past decade for his Bayern Munich and Germany accomplishments.

The last seven Ballon d’Or have been won by Cristiano Ronaldo (2008, 2013, 2014) and Lionel Messi (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) with the Real Madrid and Barcelona consistently being pitted against each other when the matter of who is the best on the planet is discussed.

Despite Lahm never having won the Ballon d’Or – or even being among the final three for the award – Low thinks that his 2014 World Cup-winning captain deserves to be considered as the greatest footballer of the past 10 years.

“Away from the Ballon d’Or there should be a player of the decade that Fifa should choose sometime soon,” he told reporters at the Zurich ceremony on Monday. “They should consider Philipp Lahm for this award.

“He has performed outstandingly in three World Cups – 2006, 2010 and 2014 – where he twice helped Germany to the semi-finals, then last summer he lifted the trophy. For me, he is the best player of the past decade.”

Low voted for Ballon d’Or 2014 finalist Manuel Neuer as his No.1 selection, with his now-retired skipper Lahm in second and new international captain Bastian Schweinsteiger in third, and the Germany coach admitted he was gutted his goalkeeper did not win.

“From my perspective, I’m obviously a bit disappointed for Manuel,” he added. “He brought in a brand new type of goalkeeping method at the World Cup. This has never happened before, it was something unique.

“Neuer is of course the best goalkeeper in the world. On the other hand, it must be said, Ronaldo and Messi are two outstanding players who bag 50-60 goals every season. Honestly, all three of the players deserved to win the award.”

Low himself was voted as Fifa’s World Coach of the Year for his role in guiding Germany to their first World Cup since 1990, defeating Argentina in extra-time in the Maracana final.

The Poland captain regrets ticking the box next to the Portuguese’s name and wishes he’d backed one of his current team-mates instead

Bayern Munich attacker Robert Lewandowski has rued his decision to pick Cristiano Ronaldo in the Fifa Ballon d’Or vote ahead of Manuel Neuer.

The Poland skipper gave the Real Madrid star five points ahead of his Bayern team-mates Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger, but he now feels the Germany goalkeeper would have been a better choice in hindsight.

Neuer eventually ended third in the running for the prize with 15.72 per cent of the votes, just 0.04 per cent behind Lionel Messi, while 37.66 per cent picked Ronaldo.

“Voting for Ronaldo instead of Neuer was a mistake,” Lewandowski was quoted as saying by Welt.

“I would clearly vote for Neuer now if I had the chance. But I already cast my vote back in August or something. I would vote different now.

“I am sorry for Manu. I am really surprised that he did not even come in second and the big gap to Ronaldo also baffles me. Manuel is an amazing goalkeeper and person.”

Neuer was one of four Bayern Munich players to make the top 10, with Arjen Robben (fourth), Thomas Muller (fifth), Philipp Lahm (sixth) all earning a spot among the world’s best, too.

The FCB director has taken a dig at the Premier League outfit and has made it clear the German champions will judge each case individually

Bayern Munich technical director Michael Reschke has defended the Bundesliga champions’ transfer policy, saying that when it comes to loaning out players they have a different attitude to Chelsea.

The Premier League giants have received their fair share of criticism in recent years over their tendency to stockpile talent, only to send new signings out on loan again right away.

Players such as Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are examples of new signings who eventually left Chelsea again after loan spells elsewhere, without making much of an impact at the Blues.

Bayern, however, have stressed that they never bring in players with the intention of immediately sending them out on loan again, but will judge each case individually.

“Sending players out on loan is not part of our philosophy. It’s a decision we make case by case,” Reschke told SID.

“We always make a well-considered decision what’s best for a certain young player in his situation. For example, a temporary spell with Augsburg is a great solution for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

“But there’s no policy or clear philosophy behind it like at Chelsea.

“There are a number of paths that could help a player reach his goals. [Bayer Leverkusen midfielder] Christoph Kramer needed his loan [at Borussia Monchengladbach]. Marco Reus needed to develop at Borussia Dortmund, Ahlen, Gladbach and then Dortmund again.

“At Bayern, Philipp Lahm needed some time at Stuttgart…”

As well as Hojbjerg, Bayern have currently loaned out Jan Kirchhoff (Schalke) and Julian Green (Hamburg).

The experienced midfielder has made it clear that he still has a few more years in him and is eagerly anticipating the second half of the season

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has insisted that he is not thinking about retiring from professional football just yet and aims to keep playing for at least three or four more years.

The 30-year-old has been plagued by physical problems in recent seasons, but he is adamant that he still has plenty to offer and is delighted to have returned to full match fitness after missing the start of the 2014-15 season.

“I think I can keep playing at the highest level for three or four more years,” Schweinsteiger told reporters.

“I am really happy that I managed to return to full match fitness and that I managed to make a few appearances before the winter break.”

Schweinsteiger’s contract with Bayern is due to expire in June 2016, but he has not thought about a renewal for now.

“I don’t know whether there have already been talks [between Bayern and my agent].

“I am relaxed about the situation and I am focusing on what matters most. That’s all I can do. I just hope that we will have some great games in the Champions League and will be challenged in the Bundesliga as well.”

The Germany international has made eight appearances in all competitions so far this term, scoring once in the process.

The Germany international was baffled to see Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer come in only third behind the Argentine forward

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos feels his compatriot Manuel Neuer should have come second in the Ballon d’Or vote behind Cristiano Ronaldo, rather than Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi.

The Argentina international amassed 15.76 per cent of the votes to narrowly pip the Bayern Munich shot stopper – who collected 15.72% of the votes – to second place, but Kroos feels Messi did not deserve to finish ahead of the World Cup winner.

“It’s surprising and a little unfair that Neuer finished behind Messi,” Kroos told Sky Sport News.

“I thought it would be a close call between Manuel and Cristiano.

“Neuer was the best goalkeeper by a long way and Cristiano was the best outfield player. It was between the two of them really.

“Manuel would have been a worthy winner, but Cristiano deserved it, too.”

Kroos was one of four Germany international to make the top 10 of the 2014 Fifa Ballon d’Or, finishing ninth with 1.43 per cent of the votes.

Third-placed Neuer, Thomas Muller (fifth) and Philipp Lahm (sixth) complete the German foursome in the top 10.