Philipp Lahm - Captain Constant like the North Star

Philipp Lahm celebrates with a beer after they won the final football match of the German Cup (DFB – Pokal)

When Joachim Loew appointed Philipp Lahm as the captain of the German national team following Michael Ballack’s injury in 2010, many critics raised concerns over the former’s credentials in becoming one. The 29-year-old’s quiet demeanour isn’t typical of a team captain and starkly different from that of Michael Ballack and Oliver Kahn.

When Louis Van Gaal appointed the ‘Magic dwarf’ (as he is adoringly nicknamed in his country) as the club captain of Bayern Munich in 2011, it did little to instil confidence among the sceptics. Two years later, Lahm stood tall (metaphorically) in Wembley as Bayern Munich lifted the much coveted Champions League trophy and signalled a definitive shift in the domination of club football.

Lahm’s leadership in the field, perhaps, is not as inspirational as that of Michael Ballack or Roy Keane. But, the versatile full-back provides constancy in the side just like the North Star does in a clear moonlit sky. The importance of the captain to regularly feature in the team’s starting eleven is as vital as his ability to lift the team’s game when the chips are down. And there isn’t a footballer who has been playing football as often as Lahm for the last few years, both for his club and country.

Lahm was born in Munich, and always aspired to be a baker before he appeared for trials at FT Gern at the tender age of five on persuasion by a friend. But, the big leap from the suburbs of Munich to the biggest club in the country came at the age of eleven when a scout insisted that he appear for trials. Despite being reluctant to move away from the local outfit where he had made plenty of friends, Lahm eventually took up the offer after being promised he would be a ball boy at the Olympic Stadium for a Bundesliga game.

Lahm spent his youth career at the Bavarian giants but had to wait to make his way into the first team as the full back positions were dominated by the experienced duo of Willy Sagnol and Bixente Lizarazu. He was loaned out to Vfb Stuttgart for two consecutive seasons before finally returning to Bayern in 2005 with Lizarazu’s retirement in the offing. Since then, Lahm has been able to successfully hold on to his place in the side and has 232 appearances to his credit in a Bayern shirt.

Widely regarded as one of the finest full backs of his generation, Lahm has shown incredible consistency and versatility over his career. His reliable and cautious approach coupled with his high levels of fitness has made him an indispensable member of both his club and national teams. Predominantly right footed, but Lahm is equally comfortable playing on the left side of the defence having started his career as a substitute for Lizarazu.