Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn announced his retirement from international football after his country's 3-1 victory over Portugal in the World Cup's third place play-off in Stuttgart.

Kahn, the long-time national number one, lost his starting place to Jens Lehmann before the tournament and did not play until after his side were beaten by Italy in the semi-finals.

"This was my last game," Kahn said on German television. "I want to quit at the best moment.

"This is the most emotional moment of my career."

Kahn, 37, a veteran stopper at Bayern Munich, did not win a major tournament with Germany but he did play in the final of the 2002 World Cup, which Germany lost to Brazil.