It is not the first time that Philipp Lahm (31) has mentioned he will retire from professional football in 2018. However, he has now found unmistakably clear words: “That’s a possible date. My contract with Bayern is running out in 2018. I will be 34 years old then. That’s the right time to retire,” the Bayern Munich captain told the French sports paper L’Equipe.
This is not a surprising announcement. When he retired from international duty for Germany after the World Cup, he already explained that he now wants to focus on Bayern and continue to play football on the highest level for four years. His contract is set to end on 30th June 2018. “I’m not one to overstay my welcome,” said Lahm.
While Bayern are preparing for the second half of the season in Doha, Qatar, Lahm is working on his return after a fracturing an ankle on 18th November 2014. Sporting director Matthias Sammer expects Lahm to return as soon as mid-February. Lahm stressed that once he is back he work hard to achieve his “major goal” of winning the Champions League once again. “And I think we can already manage to do so this season,” he added.
He did not want to share any post-retirement plans with L’Equipe but revealed that he “obviously” wants to continue working in football, which is “his passion”. However, a move to Qatar or the United States before ending his career is not an option: “I can’t picture myself doing that,” he claims. Instead, he emphasises that he wants to enjoy the three and a half years left on his contract with Bayern and cherish the memories of his time with them.
It is not the first time that Philipp Lahm (31) has mentioned he will retire from professional football in 2018. However, he has now found unmistakably clear words: “That’s a possible date. My contract with Bayern is running out in 2018. I will be 34 years old then. That’s the right time to retire,” the Bayern Munich captain told the French sports paper L’Equipe.
This is not a surprising announcement. When he retired from international duty for Germany after the World Cup, he already explained that he now wants to focus on Bayern and continue to play football on the highest level for four years. His contract is set to end on 30th June 2018. “I’m not one to overstay my welcome,” said Lahm.
While Bayern are preparing for the second half of the season in Doha, Qatar, Lahm is working on his return after a fracturing an ankle on 18th November 2014. Sporting director Matthias Sammer expects Lahm to return as soon as mid-February. Lahm stressed that once he is back he work hard to achieve his “major goal” of winning the Champions League once again. “And I think we can already manage to do so this season,” he added.
He did not want to share any post-retirement plans with L’Equipe but revealed that he “obviously” wants to continue working in football, which is “his passion”. However, a move to Qatar or the United States before ending his career is not an option: “I can’t picture myself doing that,” he claims. Instead, he emphasises that he wants to enjoy the three and a half years left on his contract with Bayern and cherish the memories of his time with them.
