PHILIPP LAHM said soccer was his life as Bayern Munich’s retiring captain bid farewell to the game in the Bundesliga champions’ 4-1 win over Freiburg on Saturday.

Arjen Robben gave Bayern the lead with a deflected shot in the fourth minute. Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal doubled the lead on 73 minutes with a fierce drive, before ex-Bayern striker Nils Petersen reduced the arrears for the visitors three minutes later.

Substitutes Franck Ribery and Joshua Kimmich added goals in added time as Bayern gave a fitting send-off to Lahm, Xabi Alonso and third-choice goalkeeper Tom Starke who all played the final games of their respective careers.

“I definitely have mixed feelings at the moment, celebrating with the lads for the last time,” Lahm told Sky Deutschland before being interrupted by the obligatory Weissbier celebration to commemorate Bayern’s fifth consecutive Bundesliga title.

“It’s an emotional day. I’ve experienced so much,” he said.

“I’ve had the privilege to experience so much with the fans, the team.

“It was my life being on the pitch and I especially enjoyed the times together with the team and the staff.

“I’ll miss that of course. I’m looking forward to the time after but today it’s certain that it’s my last time with such a collective.

“I am lucky to have been blessed by so many nice moments not just with the team but with the staff and the fans too. It was simply unbelievable.”

(SD-Agencies)