Quotes from Philipp Lahm

When I think back to the 2006 World Cup on home soil, we came close but nobody really expected us to get very far. We simply lost to a better team and Italy went on to win it.

Even if I won so many titles, the first title is not forgotten.

I played at full-back for 10 years, I enjoyed it, and I had success there, so I can never regret being a defender.

Except for two years in Stuttgart, I have always worn the FCB jersey.

I spend too much time sitting in an office. So I need to play sports on a regular basis, that's why I play golf and tennis.

Big teams need a core of players who have their roots at their clubs, who grow with their clubs and who embody the culture. Representing it on the pitch and outside as well.

In the past, we won tournaments with lots of fighting and lots of hard running.

I've always said I prefer playing on the right. But I can play at a top level on both sides so I'm happy to play wherever the manager thinks it will bringing the team success.

As a young footballer I used to look up to a number of stars for inspiration and I understand what Bhaichung must have done for all young Indians aspiring to be footballer.

I do a lot of things instinctively.

Anybody who has played with Mesut will tell you how intelligent he is as a player. His vision is probably the best I have ever seen and that is why it is so important to have the right striker ahead of him.

I have played football since I was five years old. This is my core skill and it will always remain so.

I joined Bayern at the age of 11, and from then on it was all about being up to the competition. It doesn't matter who you face, you are always the favorite. You learn this at a young age. And this continues throughout your career at Bayern Munich, you are always the favorite or one of the favorites in every competition you are involved in.

We make adjustments and changes before and sometimes also during the games in order adapt to the opposition. The manager will, for example, tell the striker to make different runs or position the central midfielders slightly differently in relation to each other.

Our sport needs lethal strikers, goalscorers, heroes. But football is much more than the moment of triumph.

I believe that when Fifa hands out an award, it should not be a marketing prize that solely honours the protagonists of a media-crazy sport.

AC Milan would never have been the same club without Paolo Maldini or Franco Baresi and they certainly would have never had the same amount of success.

To grow up and play for FC Bayern Munich and eventually Germany has been truly a dream come true.

I'm from Munich. I was born here in this town.

Being Bayern captain feels good and I think it's logical a player from Munich should lead FC Bayern on to the pitch.

Bayern Munich is an attractive club because it has been successful for many decades.

If you want to measure yourself with Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United, you, as Bayern Munich, need a philosophy. That must be the aim of the club.

Schweinsteiger has always been an important player for the national team.

I have always enjoyed thinking about playing patterns and I will undoubtedly continue to do so in front of the TV but to become a coach, to be thorough in football at all times, to prepare matches and training... I cannot imagine that I would find pleasure there and pleasure is essential in football.