Germany head coach Joachim Low has claimed that Philipp Lahm deserves to be recognised by FIFA as the best player of the past decade.

Bayern Munich defender Lahm has never made the three-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or, which was won by Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo on Monday, but Low believes that the man who captained Germany to World Cup glory last summer has been at the top of the game for the majority of his career.

"Away from the Ballon d'Or there should be a player of the decade that FIFA should choose sometime soon," Low told reporters. "They should consider Philipp Lahm for this award.

"He has performed outstandingly in three World Cups - 2006, 2010 and 2014 - where he twice helped Germany to the semi-finals, then last summer he lifted the trophy. For me, he is the best player of the past decade."

Lahm announced his retirement from international football after winning his 113th cap in the World Cup final against Argentina.