Lahm: 2013 was magnificent

Bayern Munich full-back Philipp Lahm has admitted that this year has been an exceedingly busy and successful period for the Bavarians. Since the 2012/13 campaign, Bayern have been on a rampage that shows no sign of relenting as they currently sit seven points ahead of their nearest Bundesliga rivals, having lost only one game en route to qualifying for this term's European Cup round of 16. In addition to their ongoing campaigns, the German giants have - in 2013 - secured last term's European Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal, as well as this year's FIFA Club World Cup. And, during a rare break over the Christmas period, the diminutive defender has picked his best moment of 2013. "[If] I have to choose [the best part of 2013] then obviously it's the moment I lifted the European Cup in London," Lahm told his club's website. "I can't really put my feeling of happiness into words. Our hard work paid off at last, it worked out for us at last, and I finally had the thing in my hands. "It was so thrilling and a magnificent moment." He added: "But the Club World Cup was another highlight to end the year. It was easy to summon up our last reserves of energy, and it was the perfect end to an unbelievable year." As successful as the year was, the man born in Munich has revealed the season has been exhausting for him and his team-mates. "It's been very, very good to have some time off," the 30-year-old admitted. "Our international players have basically had two matches a week all season, so we were all looking forward to the mid-season break. "It's been incredibly demanding, both physically and mentally," he concluded.