1. Not only his ability to influence the centre of the pitch from the right back position, but his ability going forward are impeccable.
2. Lahm turns his opponents inside out with the ball, and although it may look slightly industrious when he does it, he BEATS his man. Repeatedly. The clearest memory of such an instance is when he was on the ball facing Coentrao and Madrid in the CL semifinal in 2012. He danced effortlessly around Coentrao before assisting Gomez' winner with an inch perfect cross in the dying seconds.
3. I'd contest all the attributes given to other players rather than Lahm.
in 2008-9, many were surprised to find inside reports suggesting Ballack had the fastest sprint times tested among the German national team. While he was not slouch, he had less opportunity to exploit his speed from hi position.
Or he simply made it appear too effortless. That's Lahm's ability. Maybe Alves LOOKS faster, but I'd suggest he isn't faster at all. Lahm doesn't make his speed as obvious, but on the other hand, nobody ever outruns him. Nobody from Barca or Real Madrid, whether Pedro or Ronaldo ever did. or Messi.
Maybe he doesn't look the strongest, but I never see him getting muscled off the ball. No matter who challenges.
And lastly, his aggression doesn't shine through, but maybe it doesn't have to... he's too calculated, and rarely makes mistakes. So often Lahm makes the tackle that would have brought down an opponent in the box from behind, yielding a penalty and red card. But he gets the ball. Sometimes so cleanly the striker keeps running because he didn't notice the disposession.
4. His intelligence is obvious. It was far too easy a transition into midfield. On top of that, he knows when to pass, shoot, and when and where to make a run.
5. How in the world can someone not only influence, but dictate a game, and captain a team, but not just any team, the best club team in the world, and the potentially best national team in the world, from right back?
It's unbelievable. Lahm might just be the world's best player everyone forgot to notice.