Top 10 Facts about Philipp Lahm

Philipp_Lahm_Training photo by Rufus46-Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about Philipp Lahm

Philipp Lahm is a German former professional footballer who played as a fullback.

Many view him as one of the greatest full-backs of all time. He was born to two football-crazed fans, his mother was a leader for the youth at FT Gern and his father was a participant on the same team.

He was included in the World Cup team of the tournament in 2008 and 2012. He made his first appearance as a player and as a left-back in a 63-minute replacement for Gerber.

Here are the top 10 Facts about Philipp Lahm.

1. He began his career early 

Lahm matured into a professional football player within the Bayern Munich junior team.

He became part of the team at the age of eleven after a youth coach, Jan Pierta had scouted him several times while he was playing for the local youth in his hometown Gern, Munich.

He was described as a prodigy at a young age, one of his coaches Herman Hummies, even stated that “if Philip Lahm will not make it in the Bundesliga nobody will anymore”.

He went ahead to win the Bundesliga youth title twice, and the second time he carried the badge of the captain of his team.

Just at the age of 17, he was introduced to the B team, Herman Garland a former amateur coach of Lahm, considered him the most talented player he has ever coached, going as far as making him the captain of the B team during his second season.

Up until this point he played as a defensive midfielder, right Middlefield, or right full-back.

He made his debut for Bayern Munich on 13^th November 2002, it was the first team he got substituted in a second minute.

His presence was minimal during the 2002 to 2003 season and he was loaned to VfB Stuttgart to accumulate first-team experience in the Bundesliga.

 2. He was signed up as a backup

Philipp_Lahm photo by Steindy –Wikimedia

Lahm began his career as a substitute and signed it that way. He was moved by coach Felix Magrath to the left-back position it’s here he toppled the German International Heiko Gerber.

 He made his debut in the Bundesliga on the first day of the season,2003 to 2004 against Hansa Rostock.

His first game was over the 90-minute game on the 6^th matchday against Borussia Dortmund and he established himself as a regular left-back Stuggart.

He encountered more difficulties during his second season and after the EURO 2004 tournament he couldn’t keep up with the tactics and system of the new coach, Mathias Sammer. He had a stress fracture on his right foot and was sidelined for four months.

3. He was given a contract despite his leg injury

When he returned to Bayern Munich in July 2005, he had torn cruciate alignment which forced him to start his professional time in the FC Bayern on his rehabilitation, despite his injury he appeared for Bayern for 20 minutes in the Bundesliga and three times in the Champions League, going head to head with Bixente Lizarazu.

Amazingly he played all of Bayern’s 34 games, only being substituted in nine out of ten games. He was then the only left-back on the team.

4. He has paid the highest fine in Bayern

Philipp_Lahm photo by Harald Bischoff-Wikimedia

Lahm was issued the highest fine in the history of Bayern Munich. He faced hefty consequences after issuing an authorized interview in the Suddeutsche Zeitung.

He lamented the transfer policy of the club and the lack of game policy and strategic plan.

5. He was part of the youth team and EURO 2004

Lahm established his international career in the U19 national team. His team won silver for Germany in the 2002 UEFA, European under 19 championships.

In the final tournament, he played all the games and scored a significant crucial goal in the 90^th minute against England, ending3-3.

He became popular in many German papers as a young promising footballer even though Germany didn’t pass the group stage.

6. He has missed more than a year of international football

He missed several opportunities to play football for more than a year as a result of a leg injury.

After his recovery he quickly returned to the starting lineup, unfortunately, his elbow was hurt in a friendly game right before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and had to wear a special cast on his left arm. Regardless he was still picked as the first option for the left-back position.

7. He was a captain of the national team 2010 FIFA World cup

Philipp_Lahm photo by Rufus46-Wikimdia

He was the only player to play every single minute and was ever-present during Germany’s 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

H was picked to play the team’s captain role since he couldn’t play due to his leg injury and ended up as the youngest captain player in the world cup tournament.

 8. He has a very private life

Lahm despite his popularity has a secluded personal life away from the limelight. His wedding was attended by his best friend Andreas Otti, who was the only football present at the function.

The retired football has an Instagram page(@philipplahm) with 4.5 million followers, he majorly posts about his family life and programs in which he is involved, despite all this he still manages to keep a low profile.

 9. He has his foundation 

Lahm has created a foundation, a Philip Lahm stiffing to support underprivileged children, and has been an official ambassador representing FIFA for SOS children’s village.

He also undertook the role of an ambassador for 2007,2008 and 2009 world AIDS day.

On 2008 September 20^th he was awarded a Tolarantia -Preis as a result of his contribution to intolerance and homophobia in sports.

10. He has authored his biography

Lahm_-Rummenigge photo by Michael Lucan-Wikimedia

He realized his autobiography in August 2011 at the age of twenty-seven years. The autobiography reviews his football career along with the personal experiences that have shaped him.

He shares tips and insight on training methods, and the release of his autobiography received extensive media attention in Germany.