The 31-year-old has no intention of returning to the international fray in the future and claims the whole of Bayern miss imprisoned former president Uli Hoeness
Philipp Lahm has ruled out the prospect of playing for Germany again after he chose to retire from international football in the aftermath of their World Cup win.
The Bayern Munich captain skippered Joachim Low’s men to glory in Brazil this summer, but somewhat surprisingly announced he would be focusing exclusively on club football shortly afterwards.
Lahm, who could be out of action with a fractured ankle until March, is adamant that leaving the Germany fray a few months ago was the right choice.
“I have to disappoint Football Germany unfortunately,” he told Bild when asked if he would reconsider his international retirement. “The national team’s finished for me. I will carry the DFB jersey in future only as a fan when watching.
“I had 10 great years in the national team, I was allowed to be captain, I became a world champion and I had a great end to it all. I’m not going to suddenly jump up in one and a half years time for the European Championship.
“I made up my mind almost exactly one year ago and I’ll stand by it. This was my last World Cup tournament – and my most intense, too. For me, the decision was the right one. And the national team will be fine without me.”
The 31-year-old also revealed he is excited for the eventual return of imprisoned Uli Hoeness, the former Bayern president who was imprisoned earlier this year after being convicted of tax fraud.
“The club and I miss Uli Hoeness,” Lahm added. “I currently have no direct contact with him, but I would like to take this opportunity to wish him all the best.
“I hope that he can return to the club soon and I look forward to a detailed conversation with him. For me – for all of us at Bayern – it is important that his experience, his football skills and his perspective on the club are again incorporated into our decisions. Everyone looks forward to his return.”
There were reports in November that the Bavarians were planning on offering Hoeness a youth role if he is permitted day parole in January.