In Bayern Munich’s 2-0 win against Freiburg on Sunday, Thomas Müller made his 710th appearance for the club making him the club’s record appearance maker.
The 30-minute appearance, which included his 245th goal for the club, meant that Müller overtook legendary Bayern goalkeeper Sepp Maier who made 709 appearances across an 18 year spell at the club. The next outfield player that is closest to Müller in the rankings is Gerd Müller. Der Bomber played 613 times for Bayern scoring 570 goals in the process.
The appearance record now means that Müller is a solidified Bayern legend if he wasn’t already, but the 35-year-old still does not like the comparison (via @iMiaSanMia).
“I can only repeat what Uli Hoeneß has often said: The greatest is simply Gerd Müller, without him the club might not even exist in this form right now”
Head coach Vincent Kompany also gave his thoughts on the record breaker:
“I witnessed his debut, back then as an opponent. Now we’re 710 games on, it’s incredible. He not only gives 100 per cent in games, but also in every training session. That’s what makes Thomas so special. He might be 34, but it won’t stop here. There are still a lot of games left this season.”
Long-time teammate at club and international level, Manuel Neuer also gave his thoughts on Müller (full statement via @iMiaSanMia):
“What makes Thomas special? That he carries the Bayern DNA in him. He’s a guy who always wants to win. I don’t think I know any other footballer who is as ambitious as him, or who learns so many things so quickly. No matter what kind of game you present him with, he can do it in no time. Thomas is simply a winner. We need players like that…”
Former Bayern Munich player and now Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, who formed an attacking partnership with the former German international, the Poland international said (read the full statement here: @iMiaSanMia):
“Thomas was fascinating in many ways as attacking partner. He’s the perfect multitasker. He speaks almost the entire game and gives commands. But that never distracted him from finding the optimal free space for himself. I have only seen that with him; he is fully committed to the team. And even though he talks so much, we still understood each other without words in the decisive moments; that’s another thing I really appreciated about Thomas: one look, one movement, and the other knows exactly what’s about to happen”
GGFN | Jack Meenan
