Kahn paired his name with the likes of Sepp Maier, Toni Schumacher and Bodo Illgner as few world-class goalkeepers who defended Germany colors.

However, Germany's current first-choice keeper Lehmann did not welcome the selection made by Kahn, who doubted that "there will be another era of famous goalkeepers in the German shirt."

"He takes himself far too seriously and thinks he is very important, I don't like it when someone glorifies himself," Lehmann told German weekly magazine Der Spiegel.

Lehmann's injury problems and unsteady performances this term with Arsenal, forced Arsene Wenger to give Manuel Almunia the nod ahead of the German in recent weeks.

Consequently, Bayern Munich captain Kahn aimed a swipe at his predecessor, saying that the man who should be between the sticks for Germany must be playing regularly at club level.

"You don't have a chance to win your place in the German side if you can't hold down your place with your club," said Kahn in an interview last week.

Lehmann responded coolly to Kahn's claims, questioning the 39-year-old rival's form with Bavarian giants Bayern.

"If you play all the time at your club - but not well - then you don't have a chance to play for the national team," added the 37-year-old.

Kahn retired from international football after the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, where Lehmann was the first-choice goalie.