Thomas Müller played his 710th competitive match for the FC Bayern first team on Sunday, surpassing Sepp Maier (709 appearances) as the sole record holder for the club. A few weeks ago, members magazine ‘51’ spoke to companions who all have a very special connection with the 34-year-old. For Maier, Müller is right up there with club legends Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller. Goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler calls him a “skydancer”, and Felix Zwayer values Müller as a “leader on and off the pitch” - here is the final episode of the three-part series about Thomas Müller's career companions.
Sepp Maier
Credit where credit’s due. Sepp Maier held the record for competitive appearances for FC Bayern (709) for around 45 years. But he bequeaths to Müller the record “from the bottom of my heart”.
What impresses you about Thomas Müller?
“What impresses me immensely is that he has remained at FC Bayern his whole career, just like me. What could he have wanted anywhere else? He has won everything there is to win with FC Bayern. Thomas is FC Bayern through and through - and so he should be! He even played for the club as a youth player.”
You enjoyed success with another famous Müller in the team - is Thomas as similarly unpredictable for a goalkeeper as Gerd was?
“Well, they're two completely different types. Thomas roams all over the pitch, but our Gerd was a danger in the box like no other. Thomas also gets assists, which wasn't Gerd's speciality, to be honest. But in any case, the two definitely have one thing in common. Thomas belongs in the ranks of FC Bayern greats alongside Gerd or Franz Beckenbauer and the rest from our time.”
It was only a matter of time before Thomas Müller overtook you as FC Bayern's record appearance maker.
“I hold no grudge against him for that, there's no question about it. When someone plays so many games for a club like FC Bayern, he deserves all the honours there are. And one thing still remains for me. Thomas may have surpassed my mark in terms of the number of games, but not in terms of minutes played. I have more [grins].”
Ron-Robert Zieler
No goalkeeper has conceded as many Müller goals as Hannover’s captain. but Zieler has long seen the funny side of it - and will frame the kit of his childhood friend.
The first time I played against Bayern Munich, in March 2011, we won 3-1 with Hannover. Only Arjen Robben scored against me. I was given Thomas Müller’s shirt, whom I had already known for six or seven years at the time. We had played together under Bernd Stöber in the U16 national team.
The shirt - Thomas, I hope you'll forgive me - is currently in a storage unit that my wife and I have rented. We've moved so often in the last few years, six times in eight years, that we've decided to leave everything we don't absolutely need in storage for the time being, until we have time to really unpack everything in a home for good, once I’ve retired. Then I promise I'll get the Müller jersey back out too, even though he really was anything but my favourite opponent. I conceded 45 goals in matches against Bayern Munich. nine of which he scored. But if there's anyone you can't stay mad at, it's Thomas Müller.
The guy was already wholly unpredictable when we met in 2004. Even back then, he reminded me of a skydancer - those funny figurines that move in a strange way when air is blown into them from below. Thomas is like that too. Unconventional in his movements. He's a nightmare for a goalkeeper. You can hardly tell from his movements where his shot is going.
The best goals Thomas scored against me were in Brazil in 2014. I was there alongside Manuel Neuer and Roman Weidenfeller as the goalkeepers. He put a couple past me in a few training sessions. But that was okay. Maybe I gave him a bit of confidence so he could score five such inimitable goals on our way to the World Cup title.
All the best for the future, Thomas! And even if the two of us don't meet on the pitch again (unless the cup draw dictates otherwise), you're welcome to try and score against any other goalkeeping colleague more often than you have against me. I would gladly pass on this inglorious record of conceded goals without complaint.
Felix Zwayer
The referee has officiated more matches in which Thomas Müller has played than any other official. Bayern’s pleasing record with Zwayer in charge is: 30 wins, five draws and seven defeats.
I can't remember the number of times I've had the honour of refereeing Thomas Müller in his career. But it was (almost) always a great pleasure. Thomas is an absolute expert, and you can tell that he's also familiar with the referee's perspective. That makes the dialogue on the pitch open and honest.
It was just last season that I had an experience with him that I found very respectful. After losing the game in Leverkusen at the beginning of February, he came to me despite the huge disappointment, thanked me for officiating and said goodbye in a very decent manner. Not everyone manages to do that in such a situation. I was very impressed. In general, I think I've noticed a clear development in the league over the years. In the past, people would just speak, communicate and sometimes grumble. Today, the comments are much more professional and more selective, and discussions are held on a more equal footing.
What always impresses me about Thomas when I see him on the pitch is that he's a great motivator; leading the way, setting an example and getting his teammates involved. You also notice that as a referee. He's simply a great leader on and off the pitch.
Gerland, Klose, Guardiola. Click here for the second part of Thomas Müller's career companions:
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