Saying Goodbye to the Gladiator: Thomas Müller Bids Farewell to FC Bayern Munich
Stunned silence envelops FC Bayern legend, Thomas Muller.
Let's face it, it's weird but true: Thomas Müller played his final match for FC Bayern in the Allianz Arena on Saturday night. Emotions ran high as Müller wrapped up a staggering 25-year stint with the club.
When Thomas Müller takes the microphone late on Saturday night, strange things happen. Known for his loquacious nature, "Radio Müller," Germany's most famous football frequency, briefly falls silent. Müller silences the crowd briefly, too. He's just played his 750th competitive match for FC Bayern in his home stadium. It's a story hard to comprehend, and it's come to an end. In his home, in his stadium, it's over now. He wins 2:0 against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the end. His teammates form a tight guard of honor, the crowd stands up.
After 15 seconds, everything is fixed. The frequency comes back online, Müller's final broadcast from Munich goes on the air without further interruptions. In the fight against his own emotions on this evening, he first shouts his joy over the trophy to the people. It's his 13th and final one. After a long and undignified back and forth, FC Bayern decided not to renew Müller's broadcasting license from this summer. In a first reaction, the player expressed his disappointment about it. He wished things were different, he wished to stay. Maybe he will somewhere else. We don't know yet.
"I demand!"
For now, he says goodbye to the place where he experienced so many magical nights, where he shaped them significantly. "Yes, people," he said, "we all knew that the moment would come. For many, including me, it's a difficult moment, but also a very beautiful one." He thanked "the people who have endured 'Radio Müller' all these years - I demand it." But real, often funny, sometimes frustrated.
Football Emotional Farewell of the Legend FC Bayern Stands Victorious in Honor of Thomas Müller's Farewell The value Müller has for the club is long beyond his performances on the pitch. Müller was a sleight-of-hand artist, a space interpreter, a goal scorer, a pressing monster, a radio station, and in some ways, also a confidant of Uli Hoeneß. When things weren't going well for the club, Müller put himself in front of FC Bayern. Sometimes, he would bark at reporters or provide a headline. The celebrated footballer had the finest antennas for protecting the team, giving them what they needed at the moment. Before the dramatic collapse of BVB in the 2023 championship, he taunted that they must first withstand "this pressure" in Dortmund. Borussia caved, Müller and the slain FC Bayern rejoiced.
He was also there in big moments, but in these, he often let others take the lead. Müller was the greatest star of FC Bayern Munich in the past decade, but he always thought of his outstanding supporting actors. They could shine, Müller would clean up.
Thomas Müller will be "brutally missed"
His Teammates Carried Big Names: Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry, Toni Kroos, or Bastian Schweinsteiger. It's Just a Small Selection of the Influential Offensive Players of the Club. They Were Probably Better Footballers. But Was Any One More Important? No. Because Thomas Müller's Career Was a Constant Metamorphosis. In His First Full Professional Season, He Played in the Offensive Midfield and on Both Wings. Müller Could Do That, Even Though He Was Neither a Playmaker Nor as Tricky and Lightning Fast as Many Other Wingers. And Yet, "Müllering" Happened Everywhere. Even When He Was the Striker. Müller Was Always Somehow, Somewhere There. Had Sneaked Through Unnoticed. And Scored. 245 Times! Spread Over 17 Years!
Things were expected to be different for Müller at his final match, but even with the unexpected frequency failure, his 750th game with the club was no exception. Müller's FC Bayern saves its 13th title of the season, giving Müller a fitting farewell gift. Yet, it's not the end for Müller, as other opportunities await him beyond the Allianz Arena.
Quotables
"I'm also demanding," Müller said, "you all gave me unique appreciation."
Captain Manuel Neuer called Müller a "brutal miss" as "team colleague and on the pitch." Trainer Vincent Kompany stated, "I don't know if he understands what kind of impact he had on the life of many people in his career. That will last forever for this club. He says what he thinks. He is always present. He is very quick with his thoughts. This one year with him gave me a lot of fun. Thomas is one of a kind."
Future Endeavors
Müller's final Bundesliga game will be on May 17th against TSG Hoffenheim, and the championship celebration will take place on Munich's Marienplatz the following day. He will still play in the club world cup for the Bayern in June, where he will receive a "real" farewell match. And then? Retirement? MLS? "We footballers," Müller teased, "love the smell of grass." A hint? He is still in the midst of it, yet somehow already gone. "I didn't have much in my head, to be honest. I knew roughly what was happening. I wanted to play football, and we did that," Müller explained about his thoughts before his final mandatory game in the Allianz Arena. "Unfortunately, we didn't really get into that goal flow. There were a few chances in the second half where I almost scored myself. Playing football is what I enjoy. I can talk enough at home." But Thomas Müller would not be "Radio Müller" if he just stayed silent. He kept talking and talking, just like he always does. He spoke about everything and even laughed about the great luck he felt in the 750 games for the record champion. That was football itself and the people. And to them, he said, "I loved being the modern gladiator. I'm not sad, I'm looking forward to what's to come - even if it isn't as beautiful. I love you all! Take care, Servus!" To his heirs, he appealed: "Get your asses off, it's bigger than you can imagine for yourselves!" Müller has finished, one last time he leaves his Munich after a beer shower. His last broadcast: a dark humor funeral joke.
Sources: ntv.de and Bundesliga website.
- FC Bayern Munich
- Football
- Football Bundesliga
- Thomas Müller
- Max Eberl
- Bayern Munich's Decision Not to Renew Müller's Contract
- Thomas Müller's Future in Football
- Thomas Müller's Legacy in FC Bayern Munich
- FC Bayern Munich's Adjustment in Their Lineup with Müller's Departure
- Thomas Müller's Last Match with FC Bayern Munich
- FC Bayern Munich's Victory in Thomas Müller's Honor
- Thomas Müller's Relationship with His Teammates and Bayern Munich
- Thomas Müller, in his final broadcast, thanked his listeners who endured "Radio Müller" for years, acknowledging the true appreciation they gave him.
- Despite the departure of Thomas Müller, FC Bayern Munich's captain Manuel Neuer referred to him as a "brutal miss" as both a teammate and a player on the pitch.
- In the realm of football, Müller was not just a goal scorer, but also a space interpreter, a sleight-of-hand artist, and a confidant to Uli Hoeneß.
- In his final Bundesliga game, despite the unexpected frequency failure, Thomas Müller's 750th game with FC Bayern saved the club a fitting farewell gift, wining the 13th title of the season for the record champion.
