Philipp Lahm has paraded out onto the field of play to represent his country 99 times. He has sung the national anthem as a Germany player on 99 occasions. And each and every time, he has been on the field when the referee whistled play underway. The Bayern and Germany captain is poised to win his 100th full international cap - and he will pass the momentous milestone on what is literally his home turf.
“It really has come together incredibly well. It's a special match, and I'm privileged to be playing it in my own backyard, as it were, which is fantastic,” said Lahm, looking ahead to Friday evening’s World Cup qualifying clash between Germany and Austria at the Allianz Arena, where he will “of course” lead his team out onto the field as normal, announced head coach Joachim Löw. And it will be a family occasion for Lahm, as the player revealed: “My family will be there, lots of my friends are coming, and plenty of acquaintances.”
Consistent, reliable, quality
The defensive specialist can be exceptionally proud of making 100 senior international appearances. “When I look back to the past and see how many outstanding players didn't make it to 100 caps, Gerd Müller or Uwe Seeler for example, you realise it’s definitely special when you make it there yourself,” commented Lahm, who made his Germany debut on 18 February 2004 in a 2-1 victory over Croatia in Split. He started that match, and he has started all the other 98 matches he has contested for his country since then.
“For almost ten years now, Philipp Lahm has epitomised consistency, reliability and the highest standards in the national team,” enthused Löw. Lahm has been captain since his 65th international, a 3-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on 3 June 2010. “He has natural authority, he accepts responsibility, he communicates well, and despite our flat hierarchy in the national team, he’s an undisputed leader,” continued the Germany boss, who is aware of the significance of the occasion: “It’s very special for him to be winning his 100th cap right here in his home city of Munich.”
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