Philipp Lahm

“I have a clear goal: the greatest possible success, the World Cup trophy.”

“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.”

“We can never achieve perfect football at Bayern because the game is always changing. There are always new influences and different styles.”

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

“My first goal was to become a professional footballer.”

“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.”

“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.”

“The most important thing is that we play as a team. It means to attack together but to defend together as well.”

“Cruyff's idea was, quite literally, to play football - nothing more, nothing less. His idea of how football should be played was based not on controlling the opponent, but on the ball and the game.”

“Any business or club has to have a hierarchy. Everybody needs to know and understand his role in the overall structure. Bayern Munich is no different.”

“Personal vanity has no place in a World Cup.”

“When I played for Stuttgart, I met Manchester United and Chelsea. With United, I immediately think of the duels with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes and with Chelsea, it was John Terry. Those players are symbols of their clubs and the success they had at that time.”

“I had a very interesting and exciting life as a footballer, for which I am grateful.”

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

“At Euro 2004 - my first as a player - Greece won the title. A team nobody thought could win it.”

“The Champions League is such a tough competition.”

“I've practically grown up with FC Bayern Munich since the age of 11. In my case, a talent scout noticed me when I was playing for a local youth team at Gern in Munich.”

“An openly gay footballer would be exposed to abusive comments.”

“You only miss many chances when you create many chances.”

“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.”