National team - "Bild": Müller quits the DFB team after European Championship exit
World champion and fan favorite Thomas Müller is reportedly retiring from the German national team. The 34-year-old made this decision, according to "Bild". After the quarterfinal exit at home against Spain in the European Championship, Müller had announced a conversation with German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Müller played 131 times for Germany since his debut in March 2010 in a World Cup test against Argentina (0:1) in his hometown of Munich. Only record holders Lothar Matthäus (150) and Miroslav Klose (137) have played more for the DFB team. The World Cup winner in 2014 will still fulfill his contract with FC Bayern Munchen, reported "Bild" further.
Ten World Cup goals, no European Championship goal
Before his debut, Diego Maradona invited him as a guest coach for a young player. A few months later, Müller sent Argentina and Maradona home with a goal in the World Cup quarterfinals in Cape Town at the 4:0. With five goals, the then 20-year-old top scorer in South Africa. Four years later, Müller was again successful five times at the World Cup - his significant contribution to the triumph in Brazil.
Curiously: At European Championships, Müller failed to score a goal. In 2012, 2016, 2021, and 2024, he was present. At the home tournament, the Munich native no longer played a major role.
Lastly, "lubricant"
National team coach Julian Nagelsmann referred to him as a "connector" and "lubricant" for the good atmosphere between younger and older players. He came into play only as a joker in the opening game against Scotland (5:1) and in the big, but ultimately fruitless build-up against Spain (1:2 n.V.).
Mueller's DFB time after the early World Cup exit in Russia 2018 was a rollercoaster. The then national team coach Joachim Löw did not consider him, Mats Hummels, and Jerome Boateng in March 2019 - a decision that was hotly debated at the time. Mueller returned to the EM 2021 - without Fortune. In the EM round of 16 against England (0:2), he missed the big equalizing chance.
"Heart on the pitch"
Löw's successor Hansi Flick initially also did without Mueller, but he was back at the World Cup 2022. After the disappointing group stage exit in Qatar, Mueller said in a TV interview: "It was an immense pleasure, dear people. Thank you very much. We have had incredible moments together. I have tried to put my heart on the pitch in every game". This was interpreted as a retirement announcement at the time. Mueller assured that he had done everything "with love", and nothing had changed at the home EM.
- Despite retiring from the German national team, Thomas Müller will still fulfill his contract with FC Bayern Munchen.
- With his retirement, Müller leaves behind a remarkable record, having played 131 times for Germany since his debut in a World Cup test against Argentina.
- The DFB team has only two players who have played more matches for Germany than Müller: Lothar Matthäus and Miroslav Klose.
- Müller's love for soccer began early, as Diego Maradona invited him as a guest coach for a young player's event before his debut.
- Müller's first significant international accomplishment came in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals against Argentina, scoring a goal that sent Argentina home.
- In the same tournament, Müller became the World Cup's top scorer with five goals, a feat he repeated four years later in Brazil.
- However, Müller has been unable to score a goal in any European Championship, despite participating in multiple tournaments in 2012, 2016, 2021, and hypothetically in 2024.
- Julian Nagelsmann, the German national team coach, praised Müller as a "connector" and "lubricant" for the team, maintaining a good atmosphere between younger and older players.
- Despite his retirement announcement following Germany's disappointing exit from the World Cup 2022, Müller assured that he continued to play with love and passion.
- The DFB team, Bundesliga, and FC Bayern Munich will undoubtedly miss the heart and dedication that Müller brought to the pitch.
