Interview: China is inspiring for all of Bayern Munich: Philipp Lahm (3-last)

XINHUA: We can start to talk about your current team as we know your mother is well after the intensive training with you. The pre-season period is always a time of uncertainty, players come and go, does that affect team spirit?

Lahm: It is the same every year, in your head you act like everyone will stay, but every time it is different. Until the last day of the transfer period you have to expect someone to leave. You somehow live the moment until someone says good bye.

XINHUA: Now it is Bastian Schweinsteiger who is surprisingly leaving after 17 years as he is obviously joining Manchester United and former Bayern coach Louis van Gaal?

Lahm: We have played together since we were 16-year-olds, and of course I regret him leaving. He is an outstanding player, and no one from outside can get involved in a case like that, meaning it is his decision.

XINHUA: Some said Bayern does not need the abilities of Bastian Schweinsteiger. And some say it would be hard for him to gain a regular place in the team's starting eleven as the midfield seems to be crowded which he might need to keep his role as German captain in the national team, especially when it comes to the 2016 European Championships in France?

Lahm: Regarding the club I think there are no doubts regarding Bastian and his abilities. He is good enough to face any challenge any ware. As for me, I don't share any doubts concerning him.

XINHUA: Angel Di Maria from Manchester United could join Bayern Munich for the next season. What would you think about a transfer like him?

Lahm: It is not up to me to talk about that. There are people in the club that deal with that. He still has a contract and would not be an easy player to sign. There are so many things you have to consider.

XINHUA: Playing against China's champions Evergrande, you will meet former Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari who you beat 7-1 at the 2014 World Cup?

Lahm: I will say hello to him when we meet. I can hardly say, well never mind a 7-1 defeat is not the end of the world when speaking to him. We might be proud about that game in Germany, but a year later we should focus on other things. My club and I are ambitious and it is a dream to win the Champions League again.

XINHUA: But the 7-1 was like a football earthquake for Brazil and the rest of the world, a historical result. Are your feelings and thoughts different today than they were back then?

Lahm: The feeling is still alive, I am talking about the feeling of joy. But in football things pass at a horrifying speed. So after that game there has been a year, a season and we are about to start a new season. We are ambitious as a club and want to win titles. But of course it is a unique thing to win the World Cup, you keep that for the rest of your life. Everybody keeps a title like that in mind so do we.

XINHUA: Is there a moment among all of your World Cup memories that is more special than the others?

Lahm: Oh yes there is. It is the final whistle, that moment, and it went on for the next two hours. In that moment you realize you have won the World Cup, you are the World Champions, you get the medal, the cup. And Federal President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel came to see the team, everyone was celebrating.

XINHUA: Talking about the China tour again: Do you have a list for presents to bring home from China?

Lahm: I will wait for a spot of inspiration that crosses my way when we are in China. And I tell you a secret ...

XINHUA: We're listening.

Lahm: After our last China tour in 2012 we won the treble. So at first this trip can't be an excuse for bad results and it might be a good omen for the upcoming season. Well you can say China is inspiring for all of Bayern Munich. Endit