Lehmann’s football has never been devoid of criticism. He is always either on the receiving end or the one dishing it out. He had never been one to mince his words. Now, at a point in his career where he can ill afford to do so, he is still at it with his antics. Ollie Khan, for nearly a decade, had been keeping Lehmann warming the substitute’s bench. For a while, it looked like Lehmann might never get his chance to be in the limelight, let alone shine in it. Fate then decided to give Lehmann a helping hand. With Klinsmann at the helm of the team, Khan’s age finally catching up with and Lehmann’s show stopping displays for Arsenal, Lehmann was finally dealt justice and Klinsmann named him as the first choice keeper for the 2006 World Cup. Lehmann, after an indifferent start, produced spectacular saves against Argentina in the quarter-final and against Italy in the semi, only to see all his hard work undone by some sloppy defending in the final minutes. Having lost the final of the champion’s league, Lehmann was needless to say disappointed at having just missed out in both competitions. But, he was still at the top of his game and numerous clubs were trying to pry him away from Arsenal. How times have changed. After a disastrous start to Arsenal’s 2007-08 campaign, Lehmann was dropped from the starting line-up, and to date has only managed to feature in a couple of not-so-important games. Surprisingly, despite his lack of first team action, he is still Germany’s number one. His retirement from the game is imminent. For a man who has given the game so much, perhaps Euro 2008 could provide him with a befitting swan song.