World Cup years are Müller years, so it goes. Thomas Müller can’t help but smile when people say that to him. “Why am I still training?” jokes the 28 year-old. Yet anyone who watches Müller on the pitch can see that he always brings total commitment. The “midfielder with an attacking urge”, as he describes himself, has been a key factor in Bayern’s success since the winter break. And the fans have recognised that. After successive second-place finishes in December and January, Müller has been crowned Bayern’s Player of the Month for February.
The Bavarian native, who is currently standing in for the injured Manuel Neuer as team captain, received 52 per cent of the vote. James Rodriguez, the previous month’s winner, came second with 16 per cent, while Kingsley Coman was in third place with 10 per cent.
Irreplaceable qualities
Müller has impressed supporters with his commitment, exuberance and match-winning moments. The Germany star contributed three goals and two assists during the month of February. “He’s always in the right place with his liveliness, pace and reaction speed. That makes him irreplaceable,” described his coach Jupp Heynckes. Müller has now scored 102 Bundesliga goals in an FCB shirt; only Roland Wohlfarth (119), Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (162) and Gerd Müller (365) have scored more.
“I’ve always said if I had to carve together a player in Bavaria, then Thomas Müller would be the end product,” commented Rummenigge, acknowledging not only Müller’s importance for the team but also for the whole club. “He’s Bavarian, was born near Munich and came through the youth system at Bayern,” added the FCB chief executive. “He has this wit, this big passion for the club. He’s an important player on and off the pitch for FC Bayern.”
Three fans also win
Müller wasn’t the only person who enjoyed success in the vote. Three Bayern fans who voted have each won a kit signed by this month’s winner. Congratulations to Michael Kromer, Jana Backes and Sebastian Springer who have got their hands on a signed Müller shirt!
| 1. | Thomas Müller | 52% |
| 2. | James Rodríguez | 16% |
| 3. | Kingsley Coman | 10% |
| 4. | Robert Lewandowski | 9% |
| 5. | Sven Ulreich | 3% |
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