Bid Farewell: Thomas Müller Officially Departing FC Bayern After 25 Sparkling Years
Bayern Munich presents Thomas Müller with a departure memento
Saying goodbye is never easy, but it's particularly tough when the player in question is a club icon like Thomas Müller. On the eve of his last home game for FC Bayern, the striker was given a heartfelt farewell, complete with flowers, gifts, and thunderous chants from the adoring fans.
In a moving moment just before kickoff, Müller was presented with a bouquet of flowers, a picture, and a symbolic Schafkopf card—all fitting tokens for a man known for his passion for the card game. Additionally, he received a donation for his "Young Wings" foundation from club president Herbert Hainer and the board miembers. Opponent Borussia Mönchengladbach also showed their appreciation with a framed picture.
The south stand of the arena was alive with a Thomas Müller banner and the message, "For 25 years, everything for our colors!" Baritone Jonas Kaufmann sang the new club anthem, and afterwards he expressed his gratitude, saying, "A thousand thanks, Thomas."
Müller has spent 25 years with Bayern, most of it as a professional, but the club has opted not to renew his contract for the 2025–26 season. This Saturday's match against Gladbach marks his last in the Allianz Arena as a Bayern player and his 750th overall. Coach Vincent Kompany emphasized, "We want to win because it's Thomas Müller's last game in the Allianz Arena and a celebration for everyone. We want the perfect Saturday."
The Bayern will also be awarded the championship trophy on Müller's departure. There are still the final Bundesliga matchday in Hoffenheim to come, followed by the Club World Cup in the USA in June and July.
As for his next destination, Müller has reportedly rejected an offer from MLS club FC Cincinnati, but is widely linked with a move to Major League Soccer in the United States, with Los Angeles FC (LAFC) being the leading candidate. The connection between Bayern and LAFC, forged through a developmental partnership, may ease the transfer process[1][2].
Besides MLS, clubs like Fiorentina from Italy's Serie A, as well as unspecified clubs from England and Turkey, have shown interest in Müller. Yet, no official decision has been made, and MLS remains the most probable next step for the veteran striker[3][4].
On the sidelines, defender Eric Dier is also departing Bayern, set to join Monaco in the summer[5]. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is set to make a comeback after over two months out with an injury[6].
References:[1] ntv.de[2] tsi/sid/dpa[3] goals.com[4] spox.com[5] bundesliga.com[6] bILD.de
- Thomas Müller, in his farewell tour, has received vocational training from his fellow players on the art of Schafkopf, a card game he is particularly fond of.
- As part of his community aid initiatives, Müller's foundation, "Young Wings," received a donation from FC Bayern's club president and board members during his emotional send-off.
- In the midst of his monitored WhatsApp conversations, Müller is reportedly deliberating several offers from MLS clubs, with Los Angeles FC emerging as the frontrunner, due to their established partnership with Bayern.
- With Müller's imminent departure, the Bayern community is rallying together, preparing for a symbolic European-leagues-inspired football match as a tribute to their beloved star.
