A great honour for two exceptional careers at FC Bayern. At the Bavarian Sports Awards 2021, Gerd Müller was posthumously awarded the prize for "Sports moments for eternity" in a moving ceremony. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge received a "Lifetime of sporting achievement" award at the gala event held on Saturday night.
Breitner: "Gerd was able to make people happy"
Paul Breitner received the award on behalf of Gerd Müller.
Der Bomber and 1974 World Cup winner, who would have been 76 years old last Wednesday, passed away on 15 August. Müller's long-term companion at the club Paul Breitner received the award and presented it to Müller's wife Uschi after his eulogy. "Gerd had an ability only available to very few – he was able to make people happy. I pay tribute to Gerd," said Breitner who remained a close friend of Müller after he retired from the game. The guests in the hall paid tribute to Müller with a standing ovation.
Rummenigge honoured for lifetime sporting achievement
Former world-class striker Rummenigge, who twice won the European Cup (1974/75 & 1975/76) as well as the European Championships (1980) and was the European Player of the Year in 1980 and 1981, was Bayern vice-president from 1991 after ending his playing career and CEO from 2002. He handed over the reins to Oliver Kahn in the summer.
Hoeneß on Rummenigge: "Performed great work"
Uli Hoeneß gave a speech in praise of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge at the Bavarian Sports Awards.
FC Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeneß gave a speech in praise of Rummenigge. "Karl-Heinz has made a significant contribution in FC Bayern today being one of the most financially sound clubs and one of the biggest clubs in Europe on the pitch," said Hoeneß. "I'm convinced FC Bayern would not be as it is today if Karl-Heinz had not performed such great work as a player, vice-president and CEO."
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Herbert Hainer, Paul Breitner, Uli Hoeneß and Bavaria's Minister of the Interior Joachim Herrmann.
Rummenigge thanks FC Bayern
Rummenigge directed his thanks to the jury, Hoeneß and especially FC Bayern: "I came to FC Bayern in 1974 on a two-year contract. The fact that has turned into almost five decades is wonderful. I'd like to thank FC Bayern for always having confidence in us."
Homage to Gerd Müller, a player able to score goals like almost nobody else. Contemporaries remember:
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