Bayern Munich’s record-extending 34th German championship title marked the end of the Thomas Muller era. On Saturday, in an emotionally charged evening after beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-0, Müller enjoyed his 13th Bundesliga title with Munich with a grand farewell.
“I loved being a modern gladiator. But I am not sad. I look forward to what is ahead even though it won’t be half as good,” Müller told the crowd. “We all knew this moment would come. For many, including myself, it is a tough moment but a beautiful one too. The appreciation you gave me is unique,” he added.
“𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖.” ❤️
Thomas Müller’s emotional farewell speech. 🥺
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN)
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN)
Müller started the game for his 502nd Bundesliga appearance and played until the 84th minute when he went off to resounding crowd applause. Müller embraced teammates as he left the field, and blew kisses and waved to the crowd. Bayern substitutes formed a guard of honour for him.
The Bayern supporters displayed a huge red and white tifo with pictures of Müller celebrating and lifting trophies, accompanied by his name in giant letters, and a banner above it saying, “For 25 years everything for our colors!”
After being presented with the trophy, Bayern captain Manuel Neuer gave it to Müller to hoist toward the Munich sky and start the confetti-filled revelry.
Bayern fans paid tribute to Thomas Muller before his last home game for the club on Saturday.
Manuel didn’t mess about here…! 🍻😂
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN)
Müller, who had been part of Munich’s squad for over 25 years, announced his decision in April to part ways with the German club at the end of the season, in July. With his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, the midfielder saw his playing time under Vincent Kompany reduce significantly.
Müller, a Munich club legend, has won a record 13 Bundesliga titles, six DFB Cups, eight domestic Supercups, two Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups. The 35-year-old also won the 2014 World Cup with Germany. Müller has played a club record 750 matches for Bayern, scoring 248 goals and providing 222 assists.
Müller joined the club as a 10-year-old from TSV Pähl in 2000 and made his Bayern debut under Jürgen Klinsmann in 2008. His breakthrough came under Louis van Gaal the following season. Müller went on to make more appearances than any other player at Bayern, over 700, scoring more than 200 goals and assisting with more than 200 goals.
(With inputs from AP)
