Philipp Lahm
Philipp Lahm was born on the 11th of November 1983 in Munich. He grew up playing for a local youth team in his hometown district called Gern. A youth coach named Jan Pienta watched him play several times before inviting him to join Bayern Munich's Junior Team at age 11. Hermann Hummels, another coach from that early period, later stated that if Philipp Lahm would not make it in the Bundesliga, nobody would anymore. The young player won two Bundesliga youth titles and captained his team during one of those victories. At seventeen years old he moved into the B team where Hermann Gerland made him captain again. His coaches described him as the most talented player they had ever coached.
Lahm made his debut for the Bayern Munich first team on the 13th of November 2002 as a substitute in a draw with RC Lens. Willy Sagnol and Bixente Lizarazu were established full-backs so the club loaned him to VfB Stuttgart for the 2003, 04 season. Felix Magath moved him to the left back position where he replaced Heiko Gerber. He scored his first professional goal on the 3rd of April 2004 in a win against VfL Wolfsburg. During that season he appeared in thirty-one Bundesliga matches and seven Champions League games. He finished second in the election for Germany Footballer of the year. A stress fracture in his right foot sidelined him for four months in January 2005. He returned to play against FC Schalke 04 on the 9th of April 2005 before suffering a torn cruciate ligament five weeks later.
Bayern Munich recalled Lahm in July 2005 after his injury recovery. He played twice for the B team before making his first professional appearance for Bayern against Arminia Bielefeld in November 2005. The 2006, 07 season saw him play all thirty-four Bundesliga games for the club. He scored his first goal for Bayern on the 20th of August 2006 in a win over VfL Bochum. In May 2008 he signed a new contract keeping him at the club until June 2012 despite rumors linking him to Barcelona or Manchester United. Mark van Bommel departed in January 2011 and Lahm became captain for the remainder of that season. He captained the team in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final where they lost to Chelsea on penalties. On the 25th of May 2013 he led Bayern to a 2, 1 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.
Pep Guardiola utilized Lahm as a defensive midfielder starting from the 2013, 14 season. Guardiola described him as perhaps the most intelligent player he had ever trained. This shift allowed Lahm to dictate play while still assisting defensively by winning possession back. He formed an efficient partnership with winger Arjen Robben along the right flank during their time together at Bayern Munich. Robben improved his defensive work-rate to cover for Lahm's overlapping runs. The manager praised his ability to read the game and his wide range of skills including pace and stamina. His small stature earned him the nickname the Magic Dwarf yet critics noted his deceptive strength and impressive shooting skills.
Lahm scored the first goal in Germany's opening match against Costa Rica on the 9th of June 2006 during the World Cup held in Germany. He was awarded Man of the Match for that performance and played every single minute of the tournament. In the semi-final against Turkey on the 25th of June 2008 he scored the winning goal in the 90th minute of Euro 2008. On the 13th of July 2014 he led Germany to a 1, 0 victory over Argentina in the final. This marked the fourth time Germany won the competition and the first for a reunified nation. He announced his retirement from international football on the 18th of July 2014 at age thirty after scoring five goals in one hundred thirteen appearances.
In June 2007 FIFA announced that Lahm would visit South Africa to support the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He visited local SOS Children's Villages and took part in the Kick-AIDS event alongside teammate Piotr Trochowski. The Philipp Lahm Foundation supports underprivileged children while he serves as an ambassador for FIFA for SOS Children's Villages. He received the Tolerantia-Preis on the 20th of September 2008 for contributions against intolerance and homophobia in sports. Lahm stated it is a pity that being gay in football remains a taboo subject yet he does not advise players to publicly admit their sexuality due to potential abuse. In August 2022 he criticized the awarding of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar citing human rights violations.
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Common questions
When was Philipp Lahm born and where did he grow up?
Philipp Lahm was born on the 11th of November 1983 in Munich. He grew up playing for a local youth team in his hometown district called Gern.
What year did Philipp Lahm make his professional debut for Bayern Munich first team?
Lahm made his debut for the Bayern Munich first team on the 13th of November 2002 as a substitute in a draw with RC Lens. The club loaned him to VfB Stuttgart for the 2003, 04 season before recalling him in July 2005 after his injury recovery.
How many times has Germany won the World Cup according to Philipp Lahm's career achievements?
Germany won the competition four times during Philipp Lahm's tenure including the final victory over Argentina on the 13th of July 2014. This marked the fourth time Germany won the competition and the first for a reunified nation.
Why did Pep Guardiola use Philipp Lahm as a defensive midfielder starting from the 2013, 14 season?
Pep Guardiola utilized Lahm as a defensive midfielder starting from the 2013, 14 season because he described him as perhaps the most intelligent player he had ever trained. This shift allowed Lahm to dictate play while still assisting defensively by winning possession back.
What charitable work does the Philipp Lahm Foundation support?
The Philipp Lahm Foundation supports underprivileged children while he serves as an ambassador for FIFA for SOS Children's Villages. He visited local SOS Children's Villages in South Africa to support the 2010 FIFA World Cup alongside teammate Piotr Trochowski.