Last Call for a Legend: The Imminent Goodbye of Thomas Müller in FC Bayern's Jersey
mystery surrounded german footballer Thomas Müller
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy link The group stage of the Club World Cup is history. Every knockout game now might be the last for Thomas Müller in the FC Bayern jersey. But for now, sentiments are put aside.
It's a quiet moment backstage in the "Bank of America Stadium" in Charlotte, with Thomas Müller's stubble beard on full display. Suddenly, a question strikes him unexpectedly - will every game at the Club World Cup be his last in the FC Bayern jersey?
"Well, yes," Müller replies, his usual strong voice softened. "But I've known about it for a while now." A pause, a shrug, and then an attempt to deflect the topic, much like he fends off opponents on the football field. "Playing is still fun. Giving everything is still fun. And when it's over, it's over!"
The Elephant in the Room
It could be this Sunday (8:00 PM/Sat.1 and DAZN, as well as in the live ticker at ntv.de) if Bayern meets Flamengo Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's current strongest team, in Miami. Would this be Müller's last?
Müller, the original Bavarian, is well aware of the inevitable goodbyes at the tournament in the USA after 25 years with Bayern. But he prefers to avoid negative sentiments. Win or go home? "The knocks-out games are always exciting," he says. "You feel a little anxious with your suitcase packed. But I'm convinced we'll stay for a while more."
July 13, the World Cup final in the MetLife Stadium in New York, remains Müller's destination. A Bayern farewell match on a grand stage. "The competition is heating up," says Müller. And Flamengo shouldn't be the final stop. His 250th goal for Bayern, which he ecstatically celebrated in the 10:0 against Auckland City, shouldn't be the last.
No Sentimentality Yet
Even his long-standing teammates, like Leon Goretzka, don't want to contemplate a FC Bayern without Müller. "We'll have enough time to get emotional later," says Goretzka in Charlotte. The friends are spending their free time in Orlando on the golf course.
Müller will be missed. By many. The club, the team, the public, the media. The witty Müller enjoys teasing the press about his last Bayern business trip. "I'm a bit disappointed with your question," he says, for example. Müller masterfully handles football (show) business.
LAFC and the Future Beyond Munich
Thomas Müller is reportedly eyeing an engagement with Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in Major League Soccer (MLS). The club, a partner of Bayern Munich, would warmly welcome him. Müller could serve as a Munich figurehead in the US market. However, FC Cincinnati holds the discoverer's rights for Müller, an exclusive negotiating right that an MLS team can acquire for a player who wants to join the league. Cincinnati would thus have to sell the rights to Müller. The same was true for Marco Reus when he joined LA Galaxy in 2024.
If Müller is seen running across the pitch in Cincinnati, Miami, or Charlotte, even in sweltering weather, one can feel the joy he still has for the game. A year in LA could help him ease the separation from FC Bayern and prepare for the real World Cup of national teams in the US, Canada, and Mexico next year. Rumors suggest that Müller might then work as an expert for a German TV station, which would undoubtedly be a win for viewers.
But for now, it's Miami. Müller is likely to be a substitute for Vincent Kompany, watching from the sidelines on a cool box. Müller won't receive a farewell tour bonus. "We have a lot of competition up front," says the coach. "Everyone has their role. I don't look too much at individuals. What's important is that the team is right." Müller is excited for Miami. "The stadium should be well-filled. Many Brazilian fans will create the atmosphere. And such football festivals are what we're longing for now," he says. Let's hope it's not his last.
Source: ntv.de, Klaus Bergmann and Maximilian Haupt, dpa
Footnote:After the Club World Cup, Müller will not be returning to FC Bayern. His 25-year stint with the club concluded in June 2025, with no renewal of his contract offered. During his tenure, Müller reached multiple milestones, including 500 Bundesliga appearances, 163 Champions League appearances, 250 goals for Bayern, and securing his 13th Bundesliga title, equaling European top-league records for the most league titles and becoming the most decorated German player alongside Toni Kroos.
In terms of post-Bayern plans, it is widely speculated that Müller is poised to move to Major League Soccer (MLS), specifically to Los Angeles FC (LAFC). The sports director of the Philadelphia Union confirmed that Müller was offered to their club but deemed the financial requirements unrealistic. Gerry Cardinale, the owner of LAFC, has stated that the club welcomes Müller, given that he fits their ideals as a player of Müller's stature. Although retirement remains a possibility for Müller, talk of an MLS move is currently more common, with Adidas expected to enhance Müller's personal contract to aid his transfer.
In other words, while sentiments may not yet permit it, July 13th, the World Cup final in the MetLife Stadium, might not be the last fans see of Müller on a football pitch. But it could well be his last dance in an FC Bayern jersey.
- As the Champions League season approaches, discussions in the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission might center around the potential impact of Thomas Müller's departure on the sports landscape, given his impressive career with FC Bayern Munich.
- Amidst the hype of the Champions League, sports analysts might find it intriguing to compare Müller's performance in the European leagues with his performances in the football arena, particularly in the Champions League.
- Post his farewell from FC Bayern Munich, Thomas Müller, an avid football enthusiast, could yet make a significant impact in American sports, given his potential move to Major League Soccer (MLS), particularly to Los Angeles FC (LAFC), a partner club of Bayern Munich.
