He hinted at it, and now it seems to have been decided: Thomas Müller is ending his time with the national team after 14 years. The Bayern professional has recently played no role in the DFB team.
The national team career of fan favorite, world champion and mood maker Thomas Müller has apparently come to a quiet end. The quarter-final exit at the home European Championship against Spain was the 34-year-old’s last international match, reported “Bild”. The DFB confirmed this to the broadcaster. According to information from Bayerischer Rundfunk, the DFB player’s retirement is expected this week.
Thomas Müller has hinted at resignation
After the 2-0 defeat against the Spaniards, Müller had already announced a meeting with national football coach Julian Nagelsmann. After this, he has now apparently made his decision.
Müller has played 131 times for Germany since his debut in March 2010 in a World Cup friendly against Argentina (0:1) in his hometown of Munich. Only record holder Lothar Matthäus (150) and Miroslav Klose (137) have played more often for the DFB team. The 2014 World Champion will, however, fulfil his contract with FC Bayern Munich, which runs until 2025, according to Bild.
Before his debut, Diego Maradona mistook him for a ball boy when he was the guest coach. A few months later, Müller sent Argentina and Maradona home with a goal in the World Cup quarter-finals in Cape Town in a 4-0 win. With five goals, the then 20-year-old became top scorer in South Africa. Four years later, Müller scored five more goals at the World Cup – his major contribution to the triumph in Brazil.
No goal at a European Championship
Curiously, Müller was denied a goal at the European Championships. He took part in the continental championships in 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2024. At the home tournament, the Munich native no longer played a major role, at least in sporting terms. But he did so off the pitch. “Thomas can get along with the rappers – and with those who yodel,” said Nagelsmann, describing Müller’s unifying role in the team. Müller himself later jokingly described himself as more of a yodeler than a rapper.
Müller’s ups and downs to Russia
The national coach had described the veteran as a “connector” and “lubricant” for the good atmosphere between younger and older players. He was only used as a joker in the opening game against Scotland (5:1) and in the great but ultimately useless fightback against Spain (1:2 after extra time).
Müller’s time at the DFB after the early exit from the 2018 World Cup in Russia was an up and down. The then national coach Joachim Löw no longer considered him, Mats Hummels and Jérome Boateng in March 2019. A decision that was hotly debated at the time. But Müller returned for the 2021 European Championship – without luck. In the European Championship round of 16 against England (0:2), he missed the big chance to equalize.
Löw’s successor Hansi Flick initially also decided not to use Müller, but he was back at the 2022 World Cup. After another group stage exit in Qatar, Müller said in a TV interview: “It was an enormous pleasure, dear people. Thank you very much. We had incredible moments together. I tried to leave my heart on the pitch in every game.” This was interpreted at the time as an announcement of his resignation. He had done everything “with love,” Müller assured.
No problem with his bankroll
He was still there at the European Championships at home, with full passion. Müller accepted his changed role as a substitute player without any problems. Teammates repeatedly highlighted Müller’s importance within the team, not only because of his enormous experience. In the future, however, the DFB team will probably have to do without the unifying power of the offensive player.
Sources: “”, , BR.
Source: Stern
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