Pep Guardiola has coached some very clever footballers. When he was asked about Philipp Lahm, he called him "the most intelligent player I have ever trained." When a coach like Pep offers that kind of praise, it is worth listening.
Lahm was never the fastest or the strongest defender on the pitch. He did not need to be. He read the game so well that he was usually standing where the ball was about to arrive, which saved him a lot of running and a lot of tackling.
Why does intelligence put Lahm at 26?
Because it carried him to everything. He captained Germany to the 2014 World Cup and lifted the trophy in Brazil. With Bayern Munich he won 8 Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in 2012-13. He could play right-back, left-back or defensive midfield, and he did each of them at the highest level.
Then he retired at 33, while he was still near the top of his game. Most players stay a season or two too long. Lahm left while people were still asking him to stay.
A World Cup winner, a Champions League winner and one of the best full-backs the game has seen. Number 26.
Tomorrow: number 25.
