This man embodies FC Bayern like no one else – and now he's reached two major milestones. Thomas Müller made his 709th competitive appearance for the German record champions in Sunday's Bundesliga match at Wolfsburg. It means the forward has worn the red and white shirt in as many games as goalkeeping legend Sepp Maier, until now the club's outright record appearance maker.
The Wolfsburg game was also a second major milestone as Müller played his 474th Bundesliga match for his club, which moves him above Maier as FCB's outright new record appearance maker in the competition.
They're the next two landmarks in a unique career, which began on 15 August 2008, when Bayern coach Jürgen Klinsmann brought off Miroslav Klose and brought on Müller in the 79th minute of 2-2 draw at home to Hamburg. The then 18-year-old played his first 11 minutes for the FCB first team – the start of a career like no other.
709 competitive games for Bayern
The fact that the forward would become Munich's record appearance maker some 16 years later is something he would never have dreamed of himself at the time. In 16 seasons, Müller, who once described his role on the pitch as a "Raumdeuter" (space interpreter), was always the constant in Bayern's play. "Müller always plays," Louis van Gaal once famously said about his protégé at the time - and he was proved right to this day. Since his first full season with the senior squad in 2009/10, the Bavarian native has been on the pitch at least 27 times in every Bundesliga season.
244 goals for Bayern
Whether it's in the centre of attack or on the wings, his unconventional playing style is unique – and vital to Bayern's play. Those who watch the 34-year-old in action won't see many stepovers. He's far more about his reading of the game, intelligence, reaction speed and his timing. The former Germany international, who won 131 caps for the national team, has a feel for space, the right pass and a nose for goal. Müller has scored 244 times for the Reds' first team to date, and even though his playing style might not always be the most beautiful, it's certainly successful.
32 trophies with Bayern
A look at Müller's silverware is evidence of that. A total of 32 trophies are in the veteran's cabinet, including a record 12 Bundesliga titles and a further six DFB Cups. He's also lifted the German Supercup eight times, the UEFA Super Cup twice, two FIFA Club World Cups and, of course, the two Champions League triumphs in 2013 and 2020.
Müller is a legend. The good news for all Bayern fans is that he's not finished yet.
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