Intro:

Germany's World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm appears set to announce his retirement from international football, according to reports emanating from Germany on Friday (18th July).

Script:

Just days after bringing the World Cup home from Brazil, Germany captain Philipp Lahm has decided to end his international career.

Thirty year-old Lahm made his Germany debut back in 2004 and earned 113 caps for his country, taking the captain's armband in 2010.

He led Germany to the last four at both the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

Sunday saw Lahm lift the World Cup at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, the proudest moment of his career in the Germany shirt.

His retirement from the national side was confirmed by the German FA and he released an open letter saying:

"I am happy and grateful that the end of my career with the national team coincides with winning the World Cup in Brazil."

Lahm will now focus on Bayern Munich, where he renewed his contract until 2018 shortly before the World Cup.