Philipp Lahm

50 Top Soccer Player their trade today, based on a combination of current form, potential and overall ability.  Ranking  determined by a panel of contributors to ESPN's soccer.

Philipp Lahm   Rank Player 47

Profile
Birth name             Philipp Lahm
Birth date              November 11, 1983
Birth place             Munich, West Germany
Height                   1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position      Full back/Defender
Current club           Bayern Munich
Number                 21
National team        Gremany

Biography
Philipp Lahm is a German footballer who plays for and captains both Bayern Munich and the Germany national football team. Lahm is considered one of the best full backs in the world , and was included in the World Cup team of the tournament in 2006 and 2010, the UEFA Team of the Tournament in 2008 and in the FIFA Team of the Year 2008. He is well known for his pace, dribbling and precise tackling abilities as well as his small stature. Although Lahm is right-footed, he is able to play on both sides of the pitch. He often cuts from the flank to the inside of the pitch to either shoot or pass.

In August 2011 at age 27 he released his autobiography, Der feine Unterschied: Wie man heute Spitzenfußballer wird (The Subtle Difference - How to Become a Top Footballer), reviewing his football career and personal experiences, the general football environment, football in the social context and the effectiveness of different coaching and training methods. The No.1 bestselling book received extensive media attention in Germany, and has been criticized for parts of the book in which he discerningly analyzed his former coaches work, among the critics were Rudi Völler (himself criticized by Lahm in the book) and Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Scouting thumbnail 
Has no peers when it comes to attacking from the fullback spot. Raids forward with pace, verve and can beat defenders on the dribble. Slight of frame, however, and can be outmuscled on the ball at times by physical attackers.