Catching His Breath Amid the Whirlwind: Thomas Müller's Unexpected Reflections on His Bayern Career
Is the enigma Thomas Müller the focus of discussion?
Thomas Müller sheds a rare, softer side in the searing heat of Charlotte, his face hidden behind stubble. After 90 grueling minutes on the pitch, the Bayern legend, now 35, finds himself in the shadowy recesses of the "Bank of America Stadium." And then, out of the blue, a question that catches him off-guard. Could every game from now on, at the Club World Cup, be his last in the FC Bayern jersey?
"Absolutely," he says, the trace of vulnerability barely perceptible in his voice. But he's known for a while. The thrill of the game, the adrenaline rush - they never fade. It's only the inevitable end that, for a moment, feels like a distant specter.
A Dangerous Game of Chance: The Last Dance in Miami?
The following Sunday (10 pm/Sat.1 and DAZN, live ticker at ntv.de), if Bayern faces Flamengo Rio de Janeiro in Miami, it could mark Müller's swansong. But he's not one to dwell on the melancholic. Win or go home? "Every knockout game is nerve-wracking," he says, his eyes reflecting a glint of determination. "But I believe we've got a few more rounds left."
July 13, their destination. The World Cup final in the MetLife Stadium in New York. A grand farewell to the legends of Bayern. Müller's 250th competitive goal for the club, scored in the 10-0 win against Auckland City, deserves an encore.
No Time for Nostalgia: The Looming Goodbye, Yet Unspoken
Even his long-time teammates, like Leon Goretzka, can't bring themselves to contemplate a Bayern without Müller. "I think we'll save the sentimentality for another day," Goretzka says, the two friends exchanging rounds of golf in Orlando. Müller's irreplaceable charm, his wit, and his indomitable spirit - they'll be sorely missed, both on and off the pitch. By the club, by the team, by the fans, and by the media.
Müller's fondness for the limelight, his ability to tease reporters with his famous one-liners - they're an integral part of the football (show) business.
L.A., Here We Come? A New Chapter After the WM in the USA?
Reports suggest that after the Club World Cup, Müller is eyeing a stint in the Major League Soccer (MLS), with LAFC, Bayern’s partner club, being the prime candidate for his services. The club's management has expressed enthusiasm for the prospect of adding Müller, the ultimate Munich advertising figure, to their roster. However, FC Cincinnati owns the discovery rights to Müller, meaning they would have to buy these rights before any MLS team can acquire them. Similar to Marco Reus' move to LA Galaxy, the process could potentially follow a similar path.
LAFC, Cincinnati, or perhaps another city yet unnamed? One thing is certain: If Müller is spotted running across the pitch in the searing heat, you'll feel the fire that still burns within him, the passion that has sustained him for 25 years in the blue and white jersey.
But for now, the present takes center stage. Miami awaits, the stadium filled with the cacophony of Brazilian fans, the atmosphere electric. Müller, ready to make his mark, echoing the words that ring true for him, and perhaps for all legends: "Let the game begin."
Source: ntv.de, Klaus Bergmann and Maximilian Haupt, dpa
Insights
- Thomas Müller spent a 25-year career with FC Bayern Munich, spanning from 2000 to 2025. His contract with the club expired on June 30, 2025, and Bayern confirmed they would not renew it, signaling Müller's departure by the end of the 2024-25 season[2].
- MLS, particularly Los Angeles FC, is the favored destination for Müller's next club, supported by Bayern’s partnership with LAFC and comments from MLS insiders[1][3].
- A few onlookers, including Franck Ribéry, express hope that Bayern might still offer Müller a contract extension to keep him beyond the 2024-25 season, emphasizing Müller's ongoing contributions to the team[4].
- In the upcoming Club World Cup match against Flamengo Rio de Janeiro, the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission might be watching, as Thomas Müller could potentially score his 251st competitive goal for FC Bayern Munich, continuing his long-standing sports legacy in football.
- Should Thomas Müller decide to pursue a new chapter in the Major League Soccer (MLS) post-Club World Cup, he might find himself playing alongside teammates from the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission as MLS teams, including LAFC, draw interest from global sports figures.
