( CNN ) -- He may have written his name into national folklore less than a week ago but Germany 's World Cup winning captain Philipp Lahm has decided to go out at the top by announcing his retirement from international football Friday . The 30-year-old made 113 appearances for `` Die Nationalmannschaft '' over 10 years culminating in Sunday 's dramatic extra-time victory over Argentina in the Maracana , Rio de Janeiro . Lahm will continue to play for club side Bayern Munich with whom he extended his contract prior to the tournament in Brazil . In an open letter posted on the German Football Federation ( DFB ) website Friday , Lahm thanked fans , management and fellow players for `` a wonderful time . '' He informed Germany coach Joachim Low of his decision on Monday over breakfast . `` I am happy and grateful that the end of my career end with the national team coincides with winning the World Cup in Brazil , '' he said . The surprise news was met with tributes from across the sporting world and beyond . Lahm was at the center of celebrations as Germany paraded the World Cup trophy to an estimated one million people on the streets of Berlin Monday . Germany coach Joachim Low said : `` Philipp is a model professional who puts the team 's success above everything else . '' `` His intelligence and versatility as a player have allowed him to play at the highest level on the international stage for many years . `` He is a world-class player , as he again demonstrated over the last few weeks in Brazil . He crowned his outstanding career by winning the World Cup title . '' Team manager and former international Germany international striker Oliver Bierhoff added : `` Philipp is an absolute role model as a player and person . `` He is a big personality and happily takes on a great deal of responsibility . `` I have immense respect for Philipp 's career and his decision . What remains is for all of us to say a big thank you . '' Meanwhile German chancellor Angela Merkel , who was pictured celebrating with the German team after their victory in Brazil , said `` I would like to express to him my utmost respect for what he has done for the national team . '' Lahm made his debut for Germany in a 2-1 victory over Croatia in February 2004 and became German captain prior to the 2010 World Cup after injury to then captain Michael Ballack . Traditionally a right sided defender , Lahm has been deployed more often as a central midfielder by Bayern and Germany over the past season . This was a role he played in the early games of the 2014 World Cup before reverting to right back after injury to Shkodran Mustafi . Only three players -- Lothar Matthaus ( 150 caps ) , Miroslav Klose ( 137 caps ) and Lukas Podolski ( 116 caps ) -- have made more appearances for the German national team .
Germany captain Philipp Lahm retires from international football . 30-year-old will continue to play for club side Bayern Munich . Lahm made 113 appearances for Germany over 10 year international career .