Philipp Lahm insists he is not playing his final campaign with Bayern Munich, as Carlo Ancelotti’s team continue their preparations for the second half of the season.
The Bavarian giants are in Qatar for a warm weather training camp ahead of a trip to Freiburg on January 20, when the 2016-17 Bundesliga resumes.
Having turned 33 in November, Lahm – who retired from international duty following Germany’s World Cup triumph in 2014 – is in the twilight of his decorated career and has been tipped as a future sporting director.
But the versatile captain, capable of playing in defence and midfield, is adamant he still has more to offer on the pitch at the Allianz Arena.
“In this moment, it is my second last [mid-season] training camp,” he was quoted as saying by Bild.
“My contract still runs until 2018.”
Title holders Bayern are three points clear of surprise challengers RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, with the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie against Arsenal to come in February.
While they signed off the first half of the season with an important 3-0 home win over Leipzig, Lahm knows the team have plenty of room for improvement under head coach Ancelotti, who succeeded Pep Guardiola in July.
“We have to find a better balance between attack and defence,” he said.
“In many games it already worked well, but there were times in this season where it has not been perfect.”
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