Thomas Müller: Mr. Bayern Munich and the last true homegrown world beater
Thomas Müller's legendary international career may be over, but he continues to revel in his status as a one-club man. Having lifted his record-extending 12th Bundesliga title at the end of 2022/23, Mr. Bayern made an incredible 700th competitive game for the Bavarian giants against Heidenheim on Matchday 28 of 2023/24. bundesliga.com charts his journey from promising local boy to bona fide club legend...
There is more to being Müller than being Bavarian, of course, but it definitely helps - that much is obvious when he does the rounds of the FCB supporters' clubs in the run-up to Christmas. Born in Weilheim, young Thomas grew up in the small village of Pähl, around 30 miles southwest of Munich. He joined Bayern as a 10-year-old in the summer of 2000, and quickly set about climbing through the club ranks. He enjoyed a breakout season with the U19s in 2007/08, hitting 18 goals in 26 games - and catching the eye of then head coach Jürgen Klinsmann.
"I didn't pick up the phone at first," Müller admitted, when the 1990 FIFA World Cup winner called to announce his promotion to the first team squad. "But when I listened to my voicemail later, it was Jürgen Klinsmann."
Müller made his Bundesliga debut a month before his 19th birthday, coming on as a late substitute for Miroslav Klose against Hamburg on the opening day in 2008/09. Now he is footballing royalty, but back then nothing hinted at the remarkable career path that lay in store.
Watch: Müller's extraordinary journey from Pähl to the pinnacle of world football...
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