The beginning of a success story:
From the bedroom to the Bundesliga: This boy was already dreaming of scoring goals in an FC Bayern jersey in his youth - and started doing so not long after.
11 German championships, ten in a row, the opening goal in the 2012 Champions League final and numerous assist records - the list of Thomas Müller's milestones in an FC Bayern jersey is long and illustrious, but the Reds' number 25 is already more than just a figurehead for the German record champions: Müller is a living Bayern legend, one of the faces of this historic Bavarian club and the Free State - there has never been anyone like him. To mark his contract renewal until 2024, we bring you a bit closer to the charm of Müller:
1. Unique Müller
Thomas Müller is more than just a footballer: he's a talker, a leader, a great joker, a horse lover and a Schafkopf expert - with his irresistible manner, the 32-year-old has captured the hearts of the (Bayern) fans. Whether practising his profession, participating in charity campaigns or attending media appointments, Müller's unique charm and wit make him stand out from the crowd.
2. Müller the born-and-bred Bavarian
Born on 13 September 1989 in Weilheim in Upper Bavaria and brought up in Pähl on the Ammersee, the 1.85 metre tall Bavarian has been at FC Bayern for 22 years and counting. In the summer of 2000, the then 10-year-old Müller joined the FCB youth setup from TSV Pähl. He progressed through the youth system, played for the FC Bayern reserves and finally made his breakthrough with the senior team in 2009 - as a true Upper Bavarian lad!
3. Müller will always play
Müller made his maiden Bundesliga and Champions League appearances as an 18-year-old under coach Jürgen Klinsmann in 2008/09, but his real breakthrough came in the following season under Louis van Gaal, who coined the now legendary saying: "Thomas Müller will always play!" The Dutchman kept his promise and played the versatile attacker in all 34 Bundesliga games - Müller repaid that trust with 13 goals and 11 assists. In the 12 seasons since then at his beloved club, Müller has almost always been a first-choice player and, thanks to his outstanding game intelligence, positioning and mentality, has also impressed coaching greats such as Jupp Heynckes, Pep Guardiola, and Carlo Ancelotti.
4. Müller the 'Raumdeuter'
When Bayern fans are asked in ten years' time what Müller's greatest strengths were, some might well answer: "That's hard to describe and you have to have seen it for yourself." The versatile attacker has the whole package: he can shoot, provide assists, and sprint; he has coordination, stamina, a good overview, leadership quality and ambition. But you can also put it quite simply: Thomas Müller is always in exactly the right place and just where there's a threat. Off the pitch, occasionally with the Meisterschale and a flag, on the pitch often in front of the opponents' goal - that's Müller the 'Raumdeuter'.
5. ThomAssist Müller
In the course of his career with FC Bayern and the German national team, one job of the phenomenon that is Müller on the pitch crystallised as his core competence: assists. Mario Gómez, Mario Mandžukić and Robert Lewandowski provided the majority of the goals, but Müller delivered the assists. It's precisely the red-hot connection to record-breaker Lewandowski that will go down in the annals of the Bundesliga. Since 2004/05, no player has provided as many assists as Müller (151).
6. Radio Müller
Thomas Müller not only calls the shots with the megaphone in front of the stand full of fans in red and white. Whether in any training session at Säbener Straße, at the Allianz Arena or at away games - Müller is the most active communicator. As important as his cheerful nature and his wise-cracking are for the team structure off the pitch, his coaching on it is just as vital. "Radio Müller" will be on air continuously until at leasts 2024!
7. Müller the CL winner and record champion
World Cup winner in 2014, Champions League winner in 2013 and 2020 and most recently also record champion with 11 Bundesliga titles: This collection of trophies makes Müller one of the most successful German players of all time! His total of 302 BL victories to date has been bettered only by Oliver Kahn (310) and Manuel Neuer (315). To be continued, as Müller will continue blazing a trail for FC Bayern in the years to come!
Read about more highlights from his career here:
Topics of this article