Hes scored 10 goals over the past two World Cups, hes indispensable to his national team and Bayern Munich and has the ability to create space when it looks impossible. These are some professional facts about Germany superstar Thomas Muller but do you know much about his personal life? If the answer is no then youve to come to the right place to know them.
#1 He Was a Child Prodigy
Muller has acquired a legendary status in his first club TSV Pahl. In one season the team scored 165 goals with Muller netting 120 of them. Truly a goal machine. Muller’s heroics caught the attention of Bayern Munich who signed him when he was just 11.
#2 Louis Van Gaal Was Bowled Over By Him
It takes a lot to please a hard master like Louis Van Gaal but Muller succeeded in doing just that during the former’s time at Bayern Munich. The Dutchman picked him in every single game during the 2009-2010 season including the Champions League final against Inter Milan which the Baverians lost. Muller owes a lot to Van Gaal and was saddened to see him leave Bayern, calling him a ‘great coach’.
#3 Maradona Once Mistook Him For a Ball Boy!
Legendary footballer Maradona mistook Muller, who just made his international debut against Argentina, for a ball boy in the aftermatch press conference and refused to speak to the press until Muller left. The young German showed Maradona otherwise when he put one goal past Argentina in the World Cup and later made light of the incident saying “He won’t think I’m a ball boy anymore”. Nicely done Tom!
#4 Der Bomber Is One Of His Many Fans
Muller’s namesake and Germany World Cup winner Gerd Muller couldn’t stop singing his praises and said "The lad's fast, he's got a good technique - he's going to be a great player,". The legendary German’s prediction was spot on and Thomas continues to lead the line for Germany and is a worthy wearer of the number 13 shirt that was previously worn by Der Bomber.
#5 He\'s a Penalty Specialist
Muller is ridiculously good when it comes to penalties and has quite a unique way of taking them. Instead of looking at the ball, Muller looks at the goalkeeper to judge which way he’ll dive and then shoots the ball in the opposite direction.
#6 Bayern Have Him Secured For The Long Run
Muller has amazed us with his goals but other clubs shouldn’t even think of signing him as Bayern Munich have him all wrapped up with a contract that expires in 2019 – the same year that Muller turns 30! Even if another club manages to get his attention he’ll cost them at least €40 million.
#7 You\'re Not Gonna Believe His Nickname
Gerd Muller’s nickname ‘Der Bomber’ was extremely cool but Thomas Muller’s nickname is unique to say the least. His teammates call him Raumdeuter which means space investigator due to the youngster’s ability to create space in impossible situations. And I though the Brazilians had out of this world nicknames.
#8 Mrs. Muller
Sorry girls he’s already taken. Muller married his sweetheart Lisa back in 2009 when he was just 20. Lisa is also an athlete with her sports being dressage and showjumping.