Philipp Lahm was beaming from ear to ear as he approached the away faithful after the final whistle. The 33-year-old was both very pleased and modest. He almost appeared shy, as if he had just achieved his first triumph. Yet he sealed his eighth championship title in Wolfsburg on Saturday, and he has won all of them wearing FC Bayern colours.
The Munich-born full-back equalled the record set by Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mehmet Scholl and Oliver Kahn. The fans celebrated the great achievement with the Bayern skipper, chanting "Philipp, mount the fence!" Lahm hesitated, even when Thomas Müller pushed him forward.
Modesty and melancholy
"I've always been only a part of the team, and I still am, so it's a bit awkward at times," declared the captain. But the fans stubbornly demanded Lahm be the master of ceremonies. "It's special indeed when they're chanting my name," admitted Lahm, and eventually grabbed the megaphone to introduce the traditional Humba victory chant. "I really enjoyed it," commented the legend.
Enjoy is Lahm's motto for the coming weeks as he will finish his career at the end of the season. He only has three league matches left, which is why Lahm was a bit nostalgic on Saturday. "When your team-mates are approaching to congratulate you on your career and so on, I was moved to tears I have to say."
Fifth title as captain
"And also when the fans are chanting my name for so long, I have to fight back tears then. Let's see how it'll be on the last matchday, I won't guarantee anything," the 2014 world champion looked ahead to the day when he will be presented with his fifth championship shield as captain. Only Klaus Augenthaler has reached this mark in the Bundesliga's long history.
But on Saturday Lahm triggered a long night and celebrations with his Humba chant. Nothing had been arranged, but "the team are always able to celebrate when the time comes," revealed Lahm, "who enjoys things in a quiet way," but not always: "No worries, I know how to celebrate."
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