It was the start of a unique career in Europe's premier club competition: 11 years ago to the day this Tuesday, Thomas Müller made his debut in the Champions League in the Round of 16 second leg against Sporting Lisbon and his first appearance got off to a flying start with the final goal in a 7-1 win. Eleven years where the striker has played 111 games for the German record champions in Europe's most important club competition, reached the final three times and was crowned champion of Europe with his teammates at the Wembley final in 2013.
On the scoreboard for the first time: Müller's first Champions League goal against Sporting was also his first goal in a competitive match for the German record champions.
Müller is already the record German goalscorer in the Champions League
His first goal against Sporting was followed by another 43 strikes for the man born in Upper Bavaria in the Champions League and he is now the record German goalscorer in the cup of champions. Bayern's number 25 is on the verge of breaking the next German record. His former captain, Philipp Lahm made 112 Champions League appearances, one more than Müller – but the 30-year-old could draw level in a week's time in the second leg against Chelsea.
Magical career in the Champions League
Müller could only have dreamt of numbers likes that on 10 March 2009. Alongside established players like Miroslav Klose, Mark van Bommel and Daniel van Buyten, the then 19-year-old homegrown Bayern player was almost a little shy when the Reds celebrated their runaway victory in the Champions League in front of the fans at the Allianz Arena. The FCB striker is now rather practiced in the art of celebrating on the big European stage of football – and that could be repeated in eight days time against the Blues.
Following the 7-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon, Müller and Co. sank to their knees to enjoy the celebrations of the supporters at the Allianz Arena.
Topics of this article