Thomas Muller - Einer wie Keiner (2025)

[bunniefuu]

Main camera.

Please.

Everything started here in Phl

on this playing field.

SUMMER 2024

Tonality different or... sound check?

- "I've eaten a meat sandwich."

- It's all great.

- Well, the beginning.

- Yes.

Okay.

Here in Phl

is where it all began.

After 131 international matches

and 45 goals,

I'm saying farewell to the Federal Eagle.

Goodbye. See you around.

- That sounded artificial.

- Do it again, "Goodbye. See you around."

Goodbye. See you around.

That's my last message.

I want to say to all the fans

and team members...

Hey, stop!

Great. Good pass.

The foot is still good.

Thomas is not very fast.

His speed is average.

His technique is average.

His dribbling is average.

But he's Thomas Mller.

I wasn't convinced

that he would have this much energy,

that he'd already play that many matches

under coach van Gaal.

And to score such decisive goals.

You couldn't have predicted it.

Anyone who said they knew, lied.

He doesn't look like

a world-class soccer player,

but you know that he is one

as soon as you train and play with him.

Thomas rarely played spectacular soccer.

Ribry played spectacular soccer,

Robben also played spectacular soccer.

But in the end, the facts were,

"Who scored the goals?" Thomas.

"Who passed the ball sideways

so the center forward could score?"

Thomas.

If Messi is a wizard,

then he is the top hat

of the wizard.

You don't know what kind of surprises

you are in for with Thomas Mller.

I like players who understand soccer.

I haven't met many players in my career

who understand soccer like Thomas Mller.

He represents Bayern Munich

and German soccer like nobody else.

Thomas Mller is one of a kind.

ONE OF A KIND

SUMMER 2023

337 DAYS UNTIL THE EUROS

In the last stage of my career,

the Euros in my home country

are simply the ultimate goal.

Everybody witnessed

"the fairytale summer" of 2006

and you also want to experience that.

Hey, guys,

today is the first training day.

I've got big goals.

I have to fight to be on the team.

So what's important?

Coach Thomas Tuchel wants

to introduce a new approach.

He now has his first summer preparation.

He wants to strengthen the team

in a way that he thinks is best.

But he doesn't see a big role for me,

I'm convinced of that.

And that's of course not great

to ensure that I'm on the team

for the Euros in Germany.

Well... I'll have problems, for sure.

PHL, UPPER BAVARIA

Use the picker carefully.

Only the apple stem, not the branch.

There you go!

This one's completely undamaged.

Top reaction despite deflection.

They have so many marks.

Are you even allowed to climb a ladder?

- He can as long as he doesn't fall down.

- It's not okay.

- That's not allowed.

- Yes, that one was soft.

Yes, but it's damaged.

It is not damaged at all.

- You're growing moss for this reason.

- Look, it's damaged.

- Oh, well.

- Those are the ones for eating then.

Murmeli,

your master

is not used to picking apples.

This one's great.

When you are in this position,

and everyone takes a bow

and you achieved so much...

And he really achieved

a lot as a soccer player.

KLAUDIA MLLER

MOTHER

Then it can happen that you forget

that others came before you.

But I think it's my job as a parent

to remind him

that he is not the greatest of all time.

- Those were the first successes.

- Exactly. Black knee.

Thankfully, he didn't wear long pants.

You're only thinking about your laundry.

Unbelievable.

Yes, there was a lot of laundry.

The laundry pile was huge.

He wanted an apple before it was time.

- You wanted to eat an apple.

- I wasn't allowed.

Your father only allows a picnic

at the summit.

There is no food on the way there.

We already had argued about this

when climbing the Heimgarten.

You were slightly annoyed.

You liked going into the mountains.

- You're sure.

- Contrary to Simon.

Well, that is definitely...

- The contrast is huge, but...

- Simon didn't enjoy hiking.

- Simon enjoyed being at the table.

- Yes, hiking...

- The reason we never do this now.

- Why?

Because of the people.

- Yes.

- Because of my face.

Lisa recently was

at a basketball game without me

and she realized

that she had a lot of fun.

- To be honest, it's a bit sad.

- I often felt sad for you.

Like I recently said to your dad,

- "Thomas can't do this."

- Where was this?

- At some point, I just have...

- Grin and bear it.

- How "grin and bear it"?

- Yes, you are approached and say...

- But I still have to react every time.

- Tell them to "shove it." I know.

I know it's nicer

when you can be incognito.

- Your first Bayern duvet cover.

- I was so happy about that.

If only we'd known what was to come.

Thomas was a Bayern fan,

but Simon was the bigger Bayern fan.

In our basement at home,

we used to have...

SIMON MLLER

BROTHER

...two small ice hockey goals,

where we played soccer,

but naturally Thomas

always wanted to win.

I'd say, their childhood was idyllic

growing up here in Phl.

There was no cinema

and not much at all, really,

but it was all about soccer.

You just looked forward to it all day.

While at school, already thinking

about the afternoon and playing soccer.

Well, breathing is automatic

and that's how I played soccer,

automatically, since...

Apparently it was the shortest

path to happiness for me.

It was apparent even then

that he's the competitive type.

That he didn't just enter

a competition for fun

but that he wanted to win it.

I always wanted to be

the best at everything. It came naturally.

I, of course, only looked for things,

interests, in which I knew

I could succeed.

My parents just let me be.

There was no pressure, nothing.

Neither of them. Even though

my father played soccer too,

had the expertise and therefore

also didn't want to become

a coach to me.

At some point, he joined TSV Phl

and at some point,

they played in the Merkur Cup.

And then it became obvious

that Thomas was scoring

more goals than the other kids.

There were some surprising moments.

Sometimes he was

actually hardly noticeable.

And we thought, "What's up today?"

GERHARD MLLER

FATHER

"Does he not want to play?"

"There's nothing."

And when someone else was brought on,

it was clear

that the team was missing something.

It wasn't obvious before,

but then when he wasn't there

it was obvious what was missing.

And then the scouts noticed him.

The scout approached us on the sidelines

and said that he noticed Thomas,

and he would like to sign him

for FC Bayern.

We absolutely didn't expect that.

JAN PIENTA

TALENT SCOUJan Pienta approached my mother,

but she wasn't that enthusiastic at first.

"All that driving. How will that work?

Does he even stand a chance?"

Of course I really wanted to do it.

Flood lights. Weser Stadium, it's

the first match day of the new season.

AUGUST 2023

301 DAYS UNTIL THE EUROS

FC Bayern guest at SV Werder Bremen.

Thomas Tuchel decided to not put

Mller in the starting line-up.

Rather late, he is put

into play after all. Thomas Mller.

MINUTE 83

And Tel and Choupo-Moting

for the strong Kane, Musiala.

To get on the Euros team,

I have to deliver, that's clear.

This means I need playing time

and I have to work hard for it.

Thomas Mller is a title collector,

a leader,

he uses any open space,

a real role model.

The "Thomas Mller" situation

at FC Bayern...

is not easy for the head coach.

MINUTE 71

DAY 2 OF BUNDESLIGA

I understand the fuss and notice it

when Thomas is not playing regularly.

Thomas Tuchel and Thomas Mller.

THE STATE OF THE LEAGUE

That's not a totally perfect match

at Bayern, right?

MINUTE 87

DAY 1 OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Thomas is an icon, a playing legend.

I could deal better with it if he'd say...

MINUTE 77

DAY 5 BUNDESLIGA

..."He can show me every week

he is the best choice."

He has the ease, the experience

and also the total tenacity.

He says, "Everything is great,

but I still choose the other players."

I'll do it again because the level of

frustration is high in these situations,

but also there are going to be talks

between my advisor and the club this week.

I'm curious where this will lead to.

Does this take away some of my joy?

Will I get so frustrated at some point

that I'll get to a stage, where I'll

no longer be useful in the role?

Where I don't do my part

as well as someone else could?

A new player with talent who says,

"I wait and seize the chance."

At my age, it's no longer

about seizing chances,

but... it's more about... Well...

When is the assisted restroom free again?

What's on the table?

- What are our options?

- We got some.

Saudi Arabia.

Can you imagine it? Then we'll pursue it.

- It's a question of the contract period.

- Otherwise...

They've got the money.

- It's a different league, but...

- What I was also

thinking about...

The...

- Euros would no longer be an option.

- No.

I've got to see

how it'll continue with Tuchel.

You always asserted yourself

with all coaches and systems.

PLAYER ADVISERS

I assume you're going to play.

It wouldn't be a problem to be in the

background for one season. You know that.

I always support the guys anyway.

But...

For a longer period and always just

doing the training, because at the end...

I do that for competition,

for the adrenaline.

And when you know that every Saturday

you're going to be brought on

maybe ten minutes,

if you're lucky, then...

Contractual matters

are always decided at short notice.

What's going to happen in the next months?

Will it continue or won't it?

Where will it continue?

What kind of offers do we have?

What's the overall package?

What about the family?

That kind of stuff.

I think we met at the end of his time

with the 19 and under division.

He was always easygoing and funny

and charming.

His whole personality. It was just...

LISA MLLER

WIFE

It was a fit.

I think I was also

the right sparring partner for him

who also answered back.

- That wasn't the best mounting.

- Good. Have fun.

I had no idea.

My dad is more into Formula 1.

And...

Ralf Schumacher, Michael Schumacher

at the time, Kimi Rikknen,

that was the world we were immersed in

at the weekend, not soccer necessarily.

There's a butterfly.

Just get it but touch it

as little as possible. It has to...

Not like that, then it flies away.

I'm not scared to touch it,

if I can't touch it,

then I have a problem.

Look, I managed it.

- It's on my T-shirt. I'll save it.

- Okay.

Fly away.

- Very good.

- Fine.

You keep going in a gallop.

Keep going like that.

We did become very close

very quickly,

since her apartment at that time

was very close to where

I trained at the Sbener Strasse.

The first thought

after taking off my cleats

was to go and see Lisa.

We met shortly before summer break

and decided

to go on holiday for a week

and traveled to Italy.

Yes, nicely done.

- Great, you two.

- Yes.

Looks good.

Then he just left his clothes.

More and more of his clothes.

And I thought, okay.

This seems to be serious.

We got engaged before

he got his first professional contract.

But we got married

after he went professional.

2008 / 2009

Suddenly you notice, hey,

the guy next to you is also fast.

You can't just play the ball around him

and run behind it and be gone.

He can also kick the ball.

During my first matches,

when I got brought on, I scored a goal.

Then Klinsmann left

a voicemail,

that Thomas should come

to the professional training.

I was at a school event,

since I finished my high school diploma.

A party and suddenly my cell phone rings.

I didn't answer it at first,

then I listened to the voicemail.

And it was Jrgen Klinsmann.

August 15, 2008.

Bayern's very own Mller, a lanky

attacking midfielder with thin legs

celebrates his first Bundesliga match.

The home match against HSV ends

with a disappointing 2-2,

and Mller vanishes again from the scene,

which means back to the second team.

My wife said, "You'll succeed

in the professional team."

She was in love

and at the time she didn't have

much clue about soccer business

and about Hermann Gerland.

"It will all work out, but..."

But just because I hadn't a clue and not

because I had any knowledge.

I said to her, "You don't know Gerland."

"You've got to make sure

that you survive."

Corner. Corner. Corner!

You have to be obsessed,

you have to be willing to learn.

HERMANN GERLAND

YOUTH COACH

Some young players say,

"Why do I have to train?"

I say, "Because I want

to make you better."

He prepared a goal, scored goals. He did

strong headers and was ready to learn.

Very keen to learn.

Thomas as an overall package

is really unique.

Everybody is unique, sure,

but Thomas is a bit more unique

in the way he played soccer.

Someone like him didn't exist before

and won't exist in the future.

And now watch out and have fun.

Thomas Mller

1-0! Mller scores again for FC Bayern.

Uli asked me,

- "Will he score in the Champions League?"

- I say, "No."

"I don't know how he'll perform

in front of 70,000."

Second match day of the Champions League.

OCTOBER 2023

255 DAYS UNTIL THE EUROS

Bayern Munich is facing a difficult

evening away at FC Copenhagen.

Thomas Tuchel places great value

on adjusting his way of playing

to that of the opponent.

Copenhagen was the first opponent

where we knew they'd defend.

They deflect well,

they form a deep block,

they go dense in the center.

We had to find solutions.

That's why I realized early on

that this would be a chance

where he'd put more value on my abilities.

And...

That wasn't the case.

MINUTE 76

Thomas Mller comes in, Laimer goes out.

It was 1-1, we tried to turn it around

and there is such a classic,

less than spectacular scene.

Sven Ulreich kicks a long ball,

Harry jumps in for a header at

the center line and the ball goes further.

I run into the space

and suddenly

I have basically a clear path.

Some arrows behind me already sensed

there would be a running duel.

I had a clear path

towards the Copenhagen goal

and was ready to

show off as the hero,

but I knew

"Oh, that's a long way still to the goal."

I stuck to the ball but noticed

that the fast left defender was behind me.

I didn't have a clear shot.

He caught up with me.

I decided to not kick

but to secure the ball.

I shielded the ball.

And Thomas Mller... Just sh**t already!

Thomas Mller is in the penalty area.

He fakes left,

passes to Tel.

Tel scores!

His assist to Tel. That's 2-1!

And what a contribution by Thomas Mller.

It gives you the feeling

that you are in top form.

What is everyone on about?

It's fine.

So...

Now, here you go. Yes.

- Now you can...

- I've got to be honest, I'm in a bad mood.

- Oh.

- A bit tired.

Why are you tired?

I've been working all over the place.

I had a nightshift

the day before yesterday.

- Nightshift?

- In Copenhagen?

It was a nice nightshift, right?

- You expect it less than I do.

- What?

That something like this happens.

No big deal.

It was of course...

a Champions League group match...

- Hello!

- And I assisted in the winning goal.

Significantly.

- Do you want more salad?

- No thanks.

I think the match was...

But...

I've got the feeling

you get too influenced

by the mood in the press...

What do you mean "you"?

I mean him and you.

- I just look at it.

- I didn't say anything about the match.

- I didn't say much and he's already...

- What?

My God, mother is playing out

the victim role.

Really... I wonder

if I should write a book,

- "How to get out of the victim role?"

- Exactly.

I'm more than a victim

of a smear campaign by Thomas Tuchel,

he already didn't put me up

four times in a row. Yes.

You can park here.

Hi, there.

I did a great job of parking my car.

I have a working contract until 2024

but to extend it, you've got to show

the club that your role makes sense.

For yourself as well.

Everyone has to...

ULI HOENESS

PRESIDENT BAYERN MUNICH 2009-2019

...analyze themselves,

"Where do I stand?

How can I help the club?"

If I can do it, then I'll stay.

If I can't do it,

then I can stop or leave.

Hey, Jamal, dude.

My voice...

Funny. Because of the game yesterday?

Since you organized the press?

Quiet now! Stand by!

Jamal...

You could tell in training that

there was something special about him.

At some point he catches up with you.

At some point he overtakes you

with regards to playing time,

with regards to the impact

on our match perhaps.

And with all the competition

and this situation,

the relationship just works.

Thomas is really...

JAMAL MUSIALA

PLAYER BAYERN MUNICH SINCE 2020

...a mentor, a good friend.

I hope he says the same about me.

But... I still ask him for tips.

- Could you do both corners?

- No, I had to play back.

- I figured, given the corner variation.

- Yes, I had to sh**t.

- I immediately thought, "Tricky."

- Yes, I thought...

I thought, "The ball won't land."

You can forget it.

Do you have space?

Nothing can break here.

Go over there.

Yes, I'm here.

- Want me to throw it back?

- It's funny.

Then let's go. Sound on, please!

Come a bit more forward. Let's go.

Thomas just really understands soccer.

He always positions himself well,

I can watch and learn a lot from him.

And look at me. Great.

Nice.

You look for someone who's better

than the one who is already here.

I always had to assert myself.

Even after my first year.

It starts from scratch in the second year.

2009 / 2010

Training starts July 1st

for the German record champion.

FC Bayern is training for the first time

under new coach Louis van Gaal.

The beginning of the 2009-2010 season.

Now it starts for Louis van Gaal.

LOUIS VAN GAAL

COACH FC BAYERN 2009-2011

Okay? For me, the team is most important.

So you have to adapt to the team structure

and the team tactics.

I had installed Hermann Gerland

as my assistant.

Because he knows the club,

he knows the players,

but also all the talented young players.

He said to me,

"We have Thomas Mller

in the second team."

I was watching him during training.

He muddled quite well through it.

I thought, "Not bad, let's see

if he will assert himself."

Louis van Gaal is a coach

who is also a teacher

that also trains his players,

improves them. And he loves

to work with young players,

since they are the most open

and most easily shaped.

He loves to shape something

and leave his signature

and to make his teams

more successful with it.

The moment that he came in the team,

he was for me a basic element

in my tactics.

Thomas Mller! 2-0 for Bayern.

Van Gaal knows what he's doing.

I saw his talents and his qualities.

And I put him on the right position.

Robben has more techniques, yes,

I can see that,

but is that important for a number 10?

No, the orientation

that you see the third man

is more important.

And that you run the meters backwards,

is more important.

The k*lling instinct is more important.

He didn't just challenge and support

the players, but he also educated them,

both in soccer on the field,

but also at times about life.

He often was a bit like a father

to the players, also for Thomas.

The way it played out,

I didn't expect that.

I've got to be grateful to the coach

who put his trust in me.

I just try to pay that back.

As a coach that opens you up to criticism.

Totally. They were

all superstars back then.

Then a new coach comes and says,

"Mller always plays." He's his guy.

It wasn't Mario Gmez with 30 million

viewers, top earner Luca Toni,

or national team striker Miro Klose who

kicked the champion out of crisis,

but a 20-year-old nobody.

Joachim Lw, who was in the stadium,

had already stated in advance

that he wanted to add Mller

for his national team roster.

After the World Cup in 2006,

we naturally thought a lot about

what still needs to be done,

to be among the world's best again.

JOACHIM LW

COACH NATIONAL TEAM 2008-2019

What do we need to change, improve?

What kind of people do we need

to implement that?

The newcomer at Bayern Mnchen,

Thomas Mller.

We are curious

about the midfield arrangement today.

For many this is

perhaps a childhood dream.

I don't think I ever dreamt about playing

for Germany when I was a kid.

Since I never dreamt about things

that make no sense to wish for.

Things that are so farfetched.

DFB DEBUGERMANY - ARGENTINA

That was March 2010,

when we were in in the arena.

Thomas plays in a black jersey

that's three sizes too big for him.

Then you're in the national team,

that's even more pressure.

I was probably happy

when the match was over.

Thomas Mller vanished

after good scenes in the first half.

The match just kinda passed him by,

and I said, "That's not going to work,

that's just too big for him."

NOVEMBER 2023

206 DAYS UNTIL THE EUROS

It was another terrible evening.

A new low point for German soccer.

The German team lost 0-2 against Austria

and lacks almost everything

just six months

before the Euros in Germany.

It's really embarrassing.

Yes, the match was right from the start...

From A to Z...

Then there was also the red card

in the second half. Well, we just...

You feel a bit like the laughingstock.

And it's also a bit true.

The national coach will have

a tough Christmas now.

I said from the start

that based on his trainer profile,

I didn't think that Julian Nagelsmann

is really suited to be our national coach.

In my opinion,

in the current crisis situation

you need a very simplified approach

that creates clarity for everyone.

For us players, this means uncertainty.

Because, if we're being completely honest,

something has to happen by March.

We can't go towards the Euros like this.

Were you happy with the match?

Is that why the soup isn't that hot

so that nobody gets burned

in case I throw it over someone?

- It's the contrast.

- Between?

Between the performances in the club

jersey and those in the national jersey.

- For who, for example?

- For everyone.

- Do you want more?

- And some paper towels.

With a view to the upcoming tournament,

how do we manage to concede fewer goals?

We just play too complicated.

In the sense of...

The opponents

take a relatively simple approach.

With simple means, they just have

a more direct path to the goal.

Yes.

And...

They don't expect that they'll dominate

their opponents or extremely...

What?

- You can interrupt me at any time.

- Sorry.

There was also the option of scoring

more goals than the other team.

- That would also be an option.

- We tried that.

There are such basics

like precision of passes...

Sure, I immediately agree

with precision of passes.

- That the focus is on the more delicate...

- Exactly.

It doesn't mean you ignore qualities.

- You ignore defensive qualities.

- No, our defense has no quality.

Defense is discipline, hard work.

Why can't you produce this?

Where did that go?

- Twenty years ago, Germany had...

- No.

Twenty years ago, German was...

- Germany was playing the Euros...

- As a defensive player

...in Portugal.

And didn't shine at all.

That was 20 years ago.

And in 2004, it was the same again.

So, yes, German virtues

and God knows what.

But where should it go from here?

- Did the virtues never exist?

- The question...

They existed.

But the other teams have virtues, too.

Do you think only Germans work hard?

WORLD CUP 2010

WORLD CUP - SOUTH AFRICA

He was on the team,

and they were all lined up,

and when the anthem started playing,

the music somehow

reinforces that importance tenfold.

Well, that gives you goosebumps.

A tournament like this

can also destroy careers.

He didn't have much

experience in the Bundesliga.

He had played some matches.

But from the first game

against Australia...

It was a World Cup

and everyone was incredibly tense.

Thomas just sat there like...

20, 15 minutes

prior to warm-up in the changing rooms

just in his sweats.

I thought, "Do I have to tell him again

that he is playing from the start?"

"That this is the World Cup?"

That's Mller. He shoots and goal!

It's 3-0!

I assisted in the first goal,

scored another one...

We won 4-1, I think.

There was no more discussion

whether Thomas would stay on the team.

With that match and that start,

it was a given.

Thomas Mller. His shot, his goal.

That it'd develop like this

or that he'd take off like that...

Every newbie who plays

their first match...

MANUEL NEUER

GOALKEEPER NATIONAL TEAM 2009-2024

...has this dream

and he rode that World Cup on that wave.

Mller, 4-1 for Germany!

It was really my breakout moment,

also into that international scene.

Immediately confirmed against Argentina

in perhaps our best game.

And it's Mller again! I can't believe it!

Minute three.

Thomas Mller!

Thomas Mller, at age 20, is already

the sh**ting star of the World Cup.

Thomas Mller has

really surpassed himself.

The 20-year-old Bayern player becomes

the German top scorer with five goals.

At 20, he was the decisive player

who ensured that Germany got that far.

I'm sure, if Thomas hadn't

been banned in the semi-finals,

we would have become

World Champion then.

The second goal is almost

too much for the family.

First interview on the ARD.

A lot happened to us then.

When he greeted his grandparents.

I just wanted to say hello to my two

grandmas and grandpa, that's long overdue.

My mother was already

suffering from dementia

and before I managed to explain to her

that she might get calls

and shouldn't give any interviews,

she had already given one.

On the phone, about the good boy,

the good boy from Phl or something.

Phl, a tranquil little village

in Upper Bavaria.

The small community is united by its pride

for their most famous resident.

We didn't know

whether we should talk to them

or keep out of it.

At some point,

that question became futile.

Press just came to our door.

You must have talked to him on the phone.

What did he say?

We didn't talk,

it was just a text message like usual.

We'll talk on the phone

when he's got more time,

then he'll call us.

How many text messages? What did he write?

Well, we won't tell you that.

That's just private.

You no longer have a private life.

People think if you're on TV

you're public property

and they hardly ever leave you alone.

When we went out to eat as a family...

Well...

you could tell how important Thomas had

become to the people.

Whether they wanted photos, autographs...

Bravo!

He shot through

the ceiling during the World Cup.

His market value multiplied.

When he came back, he was...

a seasoned national player,

he was known internationally.

He gained the respect from the whole world

whilst being such a young player.

Headlines, headlines...

Inquiries for advertising contracts

for the first time.

Nonprofit organizations

are eager for you to work with them.

Do you know where you'll go on holiday?

But it wasn't like

you were now set for life

as a young player.

You only ever have the contract

your currently on

that allows you to plan securely.

You never know

if the journey goes up or down.

DECEMBER 2023

178 DAYS UNTIL THE EUROS

With a contract at Bayern you agree

to be on the roster.

And despite this, I realized

that I could better adapt to this role.

Especially with all those highlights.

They are great

and help you get through the weeks.

And that's why it was...

Those matches when I didn't play,

whilst annoying

were no obstacle to renew

the contract with the club.

They have already cancelled my key.

I won't be able to get in.

I'll just park in a space

reserved for the board...

In Andy Jung's space.

Hello.

- Well done, Thomas.

- Thanks, Marco.

Hello.

Simon, hi.

We'll go upstairs and do the signing.

We already set up something in the studio.

Great. Yes.

- You know how this works.

- Yes.

- Thank you.

- There you go.

We're happy that Thomas Mller

extended his contract for another year.

There's nobody else who is as much of

a byword for Bayern Munich than Thomas.

He's a very important part of our team.

CHRISTOPHER FREUND

SPORTING DIRECTOR

Thomas is actually hard to describe

because he's unique.

But what sets him apart

on and off the field?

On the field it's his energy,

his passion. He enjoys playing soccer.

Yes.

That was a lot of back-and-forth.

- There's a lot of competition right now.

- Yes.

It's good that it got wrapped up.

Bayern is not just any club, but...

Yes.

It's like your home from home. You know

every inch of the training grounds.

The people, the physical therapists,

they've been here forever.

- Yes, old hands.

- They've been here forever.

They love doing their job.

I think that's totally important.

- My longest contract was six years.

- Yes, but it also has to be fun.

Yes, and you get used to the place,

the people. It's fun.

JANUARY 2024

135 DAYS UNTIL THE EUROS

This is the plan now.

First the reception in front of the venue

with the youth brass band.

The greeting.

SIMON MLLER

FAN REPRESENTATIVE FC BAYERN

Then entrance.

Inside, welcome and introduction,

then question-and-answer session.

Then appointment to become

an honorary member, the 6,000th.

Well, great.

6,000th honorary member,

that's inflationary.

Are there any topics fans are currently

discussing? Anything you know about?

At this stage, that we're currently

not really playing that well.

Stuttgart was our last match,

where we really...

Sure, Stuttgart was a greater opponent,

and there were different expectations.

Especially since it feels like Leverkusen

is playing such a great season.

We are always behind.

Anyone coming to my apartment immediately

knows which club my heart beats for.

It means a lot to me

that he was able to do this journey

with the club that is close to my heart.

That's why I also was never jealous.

My parents were worrying

what it might do to their younger son.

How was it for Simon?

We have to keep the balance.

It was just always that he never...

He always supported me,

the whole project actually.

He also was always a fan.

It hasn't always been that easy for us.

When your son is always...

There are people you meet

who just about managed to say hello

and then, "How is Thomas?

Well, go on, tell us."

It made me angry at times,

and I told them

that I also have another son.

It's not just all about Thomas.

But people are so fixated on it.

A super talent or a super star

is just something...

Something so great

that they get fixated on it.

- Can you film a video in portrait format?

- Okay.

That's perhaps interesting

for Instagram, right?

Hello, good morning or good afternoon.

Hello.

I'm the guest, there's the host.

Hello. Hi. Good day.

- Nice that you're here.

- Yes, pleasure.

- Nice weather today.

- Magnificent sunshine.

The league table looks

better again as well.

- Great, yes.

- Ideal conditions.

Dear fan club members,

expected for weeks and now live with us.

World champion,

Champions League and DFB Cup winner,

- Thomas

- Mller.

Question one is from Ludwig Balling.

Where is Ludwig?

There he is. Show us where you are.

Round of applause for Ludwig!

So, he asks,

"What was your greatest match?"

I always find this question so hard.

There's been so many matches

and so many special moments

to pick one of them and then I thought,

what was actually

that one moment...

And the most intense moment

actually was...

during the finals at home.

I'll never forget that Saturday

for as long as I live.

Champions League against Chelsea.

Awful.

One of the worst matches

that I've ever seen.

I still can't watch the game to this day.

I watched the match ten times.

Some sort of self-punishment.

The day was a dream actually.

We all thought that it would be

a great day for Bayern Munich.

The whole city was prepared for it.

"Bayern Munich will win tonight."

The whole city was euphoric.

I think nobody was

on Maximilianstrasse all day

because everyone was in front of their TV

or at a public screening.

At the second post Mller is waiting.

He scored!

Ten minutes before the end, Mller scores.

When we scored the 1-0,

maybe because I scored it, but...

what was so extreme and so crazy

and really just...

The whole stadium,

the whole city and the surrounding area

felt this relief, it was just

such a great relief in this moment...

The whole city exploded.

Everyone was like, "Amazing"! And a goal

that you can't repeat

like this ever again.

I don't know why he placed

the header on the ground

in this situation.

The ball went up

and then went in the long corner.

Anyone else who'd have attempted it

would have hit the post

or the ball would have gone three meters

over the goal, but Thomas

was efficient. Ball, goal.

The stadium erupted. The other players...

Faces full of joy...

This... When you looked in their eyes,

that was not just joy

that was on another level.

It was just more.

It was an expl*si*n of emotion.

Unbelievable.

I never experienced anything like it

before that day or since.

Everything just erupted.

There were tears, because...

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER

PLAYER BAYERN MUNICH 2002-2014

...you were so close

to winning the trophy at home.

Funnily enough,

I thought of that too. Yes.

"Oh man, if it stays this way,

then he'll become a legend."

But then I also thought, "Oh no."

That also means more attention.

They celebrate as if they'd won

the Champions League already.

But, guys, you've got to focus now.

Total focus, it's not over yet.

It was one of the most intense moments

of my whole career,

even if it's best to forget

what came after that.

Now the substitution happens.

Thomas Mller is injured.

Is the matchmaker leaving the field?

Thomas wanted to be substituted,

because something hurt.

I said, "Hey, you should continue."

It was only a few more minutes.

I said, "Thomas, please, stay."

He said, "I can't."

"Stay." "I'm done in."

In that moment,

I had never heard of the magic

that you shouldn't substitute Mller.

The story is told differently in hindsight

by those present.

If someone is substituted,

things can go in a different direction.

I think that if they played well

with each other, are motivated,

and they scored,

then you can ride that wave,

then the question is,

when does the wave collapse?

Corner for Chelsea. Drogba! He scores!

That can't be true!

To this day I still don't understand

how we didn't win.

Schweinsteiger. Post!

It was the biggest disappointment

we probably ever experienced

at Bayern Munich.

We all just fell to the floor.

And... You don't really talk

that much after.

It was so sad, it felt numb...

No emotion, the feeling...

Well, I just really... I just...

I just cried uncontrollably.

I was down. There are pictures of me

where I don't even recognize myself.

It was one of

the toughest walks of my career.

To walk up the stairs in the Allianz Arena

and to accept the medal for the 2nd place

in the Champions League.

I think in that moment

nobody truly realized

what had just happened.

To lose this match in your own stadium,

in your final at home.

That was heavy.

Lisa and I went to see the horse.

The day after there was nothing going on.

No appointments.

"So, now we complained enough."

"Now, get your a*s in gear.

You can come running with me."

"You'll dust yourself off and continue."

He actually needed that.

I still remember that Thomas

wrote a long message the next day

to all the players.

It occurred to me to somehow include

the others in processing

my own emotions.

"That can't have been it."

We marched.

And you could just feel the fire.

Now, it's happening.

They all pulled their weight.

From the first match day.

And Mller!

Next goal.

Mller. 4-0! Mller scores with a header.

Thomas Mller for Bayern. 2-0.

The beginning of a comeback

for a team that had hit rock bottom.

It couldn't have been nicer.

Arjen Robben! Bayern is

in the Champions League.

All the things we won after that

had a lot to do with the team spirit

and Thomas played a crucial role in that.

My guys,

we broke one record after another.

WE ARE HEROES

That was my first Champions League win,

our first Champions League win.

A Champions League win is like a

knighthood to a player's career in a club.

I experienced that as a fan,

as a small boy.

That's why I knew what it meant.

Perhaps that also helped us

in the national team.

Knowing that we can do

something together as a team.

That's how we started into the tournament.

WORLD CUP - BRAZIL

I thought, Brazil, that's pretty far.

I don't like flying long distance.

He always said, "We're going to do it."

And it was a great experience.

Just Brazil in itself.

The joy of the people there is huge.

We got off to a great start in Brazil

with a 4-0 win against Portugal

with three goals scored by Thomas.

Mller and it's in!

Thomas Mller. Goal!

Thomas Mller scores his third goal.

A brilliant day, Mller.

GIANT MLLER

4-0 Germany - Portugal

Thomas Mller, three goals.

Of course there couldn't have been

a better start.

The next day

I come down

and there is a note under my door.

I found it again

when I was looking

for something in my files. Yes.

There was a note.

Then I thought, "Who leaves a note

this early in the morning?"

"It must be important

Did something happen?"

Then I read, "Dear Mr. Lw."

"I'd like to ask you

for permission

to fly tomorrow on 17th of June..."

The match was on the 16th of June,

"by helicopter to the golf course."

"Kindest regards, Thomas Mller."

I said, "Do we think that's a good idea?"

He said, "Coach, I have

three good arguments for you."

Back then I thought,

"If we had been eliminated early

and that would have been known..."

Mller shoots! Germany leads.

The course of the tournament is actually

wonderful, especially in retrospect.

Goal bonanza.

We had a defensive fight against France.

Germany leads in Rio!

Then it's up against Brazil on home soil.

The expectation was

that Brazil must make it into the finals,

and you could tell

that it would be a tough match.

In the run-up,

we definitely spoke about it.

"What are Brazil's weaknesses?"

And we noticed...

HANSI FLICK

CO-COACH NATIONAL TEAM

...that they quickly ran

to the first post during a corner

and that the back area was then clear.

Then they neglected

the positions behind them.

And that's exactly what we wanted,

Thomas Mller needed to pull back

a bit from the front and then run there

and whoever kicks the corner

doesn't aim for the first post

but slightly above it.

Thomas was standing there,

and he realized it too

and knew what he had to do.

You just react.

Give the ball a chance

to get into the goal.

Corner is happening.

Mller!

Goal! Minute 11.

Germany in the lead against Brazil.

Then one goal after another. It's getting

quieter and quieter in the stadium.

There were people

who had worked day and night.

They had saved every cent

to buy this 900 Euro ticket.

The family going without, for years.

And then they come to this stadium and

have to experience something like that.

All national pride was crumbling away.

And these people...

Just start applauding

the German team or...

They form an honor guard and applaud.

The formed an honor guard

when we came out and celebrated us.

Well, that was...

That was

the most special experience we had.

And then you stand in the Maracan...

World Cup finals.

Thomas was on the field.

And now it's over.

Germany is world champion!

It was so nice

because you are also aware of the impact

that you are doing it

for even more people.

Knowing you are world champion is the

greatest feeling I have ever experienced.

Time stood still for me.

When you hug each other and look

in each other's eyes and you did it.

Then you know what it means for us.

After the final whistle, Basti, Philipp

and I were briefly like this...

"There it is. We did it."

Then do that with the players

from your own country,

from Bavaria, that's really...

It's a bond for life.

We are world champions!

We've got the trophy!

You can forget about your Golden Boot.

July 13, 2014.

Germany is soccer world champion.

They deserve it. They were the best team

in this tournament.

I thought

that it could become quite difficult.

The way people think of you.

It's then how you also start

to think about yourself.

To stay at this level

until the end of your career and you know,

there's another ten years.

That can't work out.

FEBRUARY 2024

125 DAYS UNTIL THE EUROS

A devastating evening in Leverkusen.

Bayern is drowning.

0-3

The game was always

from A to B, from B to C.

And nobody has the freedom to gamble.

Why isn't there freedom? Does this have

anything to do with the coach?

- That's a bit nuts.

- I don't want to put blame on anyone.

- I'm just asking.

- Yes, always "Why?"

There isn't always a reason.

I'm trying

to explain

what's missing for me in our game.

Hi. I've just got home

after the match in Leverkusen.

We lost 3-0.

And maybe lost the title too.

The players also have

to function independently at times.

A Bayern top player has to function

independently, no matter the weather.

We are definitely lacking in this regard.

Well, it's not looking good.

We are still after the title.

Time to cheer up

and then we're heading to Rome.

Looking in the mirror,

when you're ugly, isn't nice.

So that's our face at the moment.

Well, good night.

The Olimpico in Rome.

The round of 16 in the Champions League.

Bayern versus Lazio Rome.

Thomas Mller. Good ball for Musiala.

The connection somehow fits

this Bayern game.

Damn.

Upmecano is sent down.

There is a penalty.

There is a penalty for Lazio Rome.

Ciro Immobile. Immobile.

Lazio goes into the lead.

It's a 1-0 win for Lazio Rome.

Bayern without a single chance to score.

If you're losing two games in a row

shortly before the Euros in Germany...

Then definitely the feeling of being sh*t,

of being a failure,

it's real.

The situation has changed.

It's a new, different world

in this FC Bayern soccer bubble.

And you then you have to look

into each other's eyes and say,

"It looks like we won't take the title."

And in the Champions League,

the club is of course aware

that how we currently perform as a team

with a coaching team is not enough.

Three defeats in a row were too many.

Coach Thomas Tuchel's departure

has been decided, however,

the amicable termination is going

to take place at the end of the season.

Of course, you also have

to deal with all these disappointments.

These individual disappointments.

Champions League semi-final

second leg against Atletico.

It's FC Bayern Munich third semi-final

in three years.

We should have won the game.

Score is 1-0.

I think it was just before half time.

And with 2-0 we would have progressed.

Ball is in the air. Then Martinez

goes down. Is it a penalty? Penalty!

Now, they must remain calm.

Remain calm, Thomas Mller.

I had the feeling that...

PEP GUARDIOLA

COACH FC BAYERN 2013-2016

...we we're going to do it.

I saw the body language of the players.

We were ready.

Big chance for FC Bayern.

Your heart rate is close to 200.

And you know

that if you miss,

you're the idiot of the nation.

Thomas Mller against Oblak.

All eyes are on you.

I have respect for the player

who accepts the responsibility.

Of 11 players on the field

from your club,

only two or three are prepared to sh**t.

Eyes closed, hope for the best.

You also just want to get it over with.

Until that penalty,

Thomas Mller always shot well.

But something happened with this penalty.

Thomas Mller looks up. Oblak saves.

Oh, God.

I'm pretty sure One thing,

Thomas wanted to score.

Thomas wanted to score the penalty.

That was hard. That was a k*ller.

Of course it hurts.

You just hope that when you miss

that it won't matter that much.

Griesman is through

and he scores, of course.

Pep and FC Bayern are eliminated.

Failed again in the semi-finals

of the Champions League.

You leave the field, and if you're honest,

and Thomas is very honest,

you know, what the penalty would've meant.

MLLER MISSES PENALTY!

BAYERN OUT!

Because of this, Guardiola

never won the Champions League with

Bayern. Always out in the semi-finals.

Of course, Thomas wasn't always

the deciding man, like in that game.

Then the phase started

where it was more about,

will I make the starting line-up?

Will I get another contract renewal?

Will my next career step

be a step down or not?

Mller is an important player for us.

We know... I know...

CARLO ANCELOTTI

COACH FC BAYERN 2016-2017

...his history, but we have

a lot of important players here.

Thomas is performing well in training,

like everyone.

It's FC Bayern Munich.

NIKO KOVAC

COACH FC BAYERN 2018-2019

We've got 20 great players.

He was definitely

desperate in that situation,

I know that.

Short and painful.

WORLD CUP RUSSIA

World Cup in Russia.

It's over for Germany.

World Cup was a disaster,

things were not going well in the club.

This leads to a general opinion

that even coaches can't escape.

I also want to be honest

with players who achieved a lot.

I told them that I'm planning the

qualification and the Euros without them.

And I wanted to be honest with them.

We had been training.

Then they said the national coach was

at Sbener Strasse and we should go up.

At first we had no idea what this was

about, but when three players had to go up

or should go up...

We realized what was up

and that it wasn't good news.

As a coach you have to make tough

decisions, which is what I was used to.

I found this harder to do with the players

who won the World Cup with me.

That's why I obviously

have to apologize to the players

for the method that I chose.

The more I think about it,

the way it happened just makes me angry.

Above all, I don't appreciate

the suggested finality of the decision.

The door was closed and locked

and the key thrown away.

That's how it felt, but I said,

if that's the way it is

you know what you're doing.

MARCH 2024

105 DAYS UNTIL THE EUROS

I don't tend to hold a grudge.

That's also what convinced all coaches

time and time again or impressed them

since in this respect I'm much better

than most in the business.

This anger is channeled into,

"Okay, I'll show you during training."

And my energy is high.

One of the biggest talents of Thomas is

the good or bad moments don't last long.

Guys who stay long, long time,

no, forget immediately.

It's about to start

against Lazio Rome.

I'm part of the team.

Yes, the pressure is on.

Yes, if it's going to be a really good

game today, even from me personally,

that might also have an impact

with regards to the national team

and my role there.

Let's see.

Things go up and down quickly in soccer.

And today, I've got to give it my all

so things will go up.

Bayern against Lazio.

A very important game

for FC Bayern

but also for Thomas Mller

since he made

the starting line-up for today.

- The number 25. Thomas...

- Mller!

There are players who somehow

collapse under the pressure.

Right from the start, Thomas Mller was

someone who could handle it well.

And these are the really big players

who are looking forward to the pressure.

And that's Thomas Mller.

He runs a lot of meters

but always

with a tactical meaning,

so not stupid.

And not only in ball possession,

but also when the opponent has the ball.

Thomas tries to do a lot

with facial expressions and gestures

when he can't reach people

with his loud voice.

It's not that easy.

Playing soccer and communicating

and giving commands, that's different

than just playing soccer.

This is the hallmark of a lead player.

Because Thomas stays on top of everything.

What might happen...

Thomas can sense and feel that.

He has a talent to anticipate

situations that others do not see.

He knows where the ball might go.

He's a free bird,

he moves for his instinct.

He is always positive.

"Come on, let's keep going!"

He cheers on his teammates.

He pushes them.

Thomas has this completely

natural way to see the game, to win.

You move, the ball move, conditions,

weather, he decides in one second.

And they guys who decide better

how you move in the chaos,

that defines the good player.

You can't predict him.

Nobody can predict him.

not his own coach,

definitely not the opponent.

Playing against him is hell,

you have to think so much.

He does so much weird stuff.

If you know him

then you know exactly

where the ball has to go and he is there.

39th minute. Mller.

There is Guerreiro. And Kane!

The goal!

I loved playing with him,

because the solution he finds

is always the best solution

for him and for the team.

He's a player who's there when things get

hot in the penalty area of the opponent.

Another chance for Bayern

just before halftime. Mller!

Next goal. He's still got it.

There is one thing I love

a lot about Thomas.

He is a specimen in the world of soccer

that don't exist anymore.

All the soccer players today,

they score and they run to the fans,

they jam for the fans.

He goes to hug his teammates.

I love that.

One thing has to be said.

His level, his talent,

he used everything

that God blessed him with to the max.

Everything.

If he ever stops playing soccer,

he can proudly say,

"I, Thomas Mller, born in Phl,

made the best of my talents

and have won everything

you can win in soccer."

I admire a lot like Paolo Maldini

in Italy.

Puyol in Barcelona or Sergio Ramos.

These players play ten, 15 years there,

every single day.

The consistency,

to be there for the team, for the club

and playing and playing.

The world of soccer moves fast.

The performance against Lazio Rome

put me back in the spotlight.

That will certainly help me with regard

to the national team.

Germany, summer 2024.

SUMMER 2024

EUROS - GERMANY

They made a start.

Musiala and Hovertz.

Fllkrug, 4-0.

And now, moments like this one.

A very special moment,

Thomas Mller in his stadium.

His 8th major tournament.

He comes in for Jamal Musiala.

a substitution that shows a turning point

in German soccer like no other.

I can be a part of it.

I can be a part of it, hoping

to experience these moments

of German soccer euphoria.

And that up close.

Thomas Mller immediately takes action.

He plays the ball. Can scores the 5-1.

An incredible beginning.

It couldn't have started better.

THe Euros start with a huge win

for the German team.

What was clear to see from

the first second we met:

That's the team.

The coach put us together really well

and also set us up well.

The roles were clearly assigned.

My role was that of the substitute,

the game changer.

When we need a goal

to steer the game in the right direction.

I don't play a huge role at the moment,

I must admit.

I didn't get any playing time

other than in the match in Munich.

It's just before the Spain match,

quarter finals.

Penalties are going well.

Even if we don't want to have to sh**t

penalties against the Spanish team,

but maybe my time will come.

QUARTERFINALS

GERMANY - SPAIN

Germany against Spain, the quarter final.

But to all of us,

it's the premature final.

It's not easy

having to wait for the moment.

And it's getting critical.

La Vigna. Oh no, Olmo!

I even got my moment.

Germany has to show a reaction,

and that comes in the form of Thomas.

Even though I wouldn't have wanted

to get the moment in the quarter-finals.

Because usually I come in

when we need a goal.

Thomas Mller knows what it means

to deliver in important games.

Hope is still alive.

There is still a chance.

Wirtz! Wirtz! Equalizer.

Just before the end. Equalizer!

You were there for the equalizer.

Then extra time.

We were close to winning against Spain.

And this is a dangerous situation.

Merino!

It's the 119th minute.

Spain is ahead. The end of all dreams.

On a bigger level, of course,

this bitter defeat remains.

On a personal level, however,

it was a last experience...

of the most intense variety...

with German soccer.

With all that it entails.

The fans, family,

the important game.

Just exactly

one of those games

that you love the whole sport for.

I had one big ambition to be a part

of the Euros at home in Germany.

And I achieved that.

It was a perfect ending.

It was great.

Time to go home.

Hello there.

- Hello.

- Hi.

One thing cannot be replaced:

The adrenaline in the stadium.

That's the only thing,

we are basically junkies.

When you play and score goals,

that's the whole package.

That's gone.

And that's also after such a long time

as a professional...

Yes, sure.

That's still there?

That's the only thing

that I don't think I can replace.

But that's the only thing.

The structure... I'm able to give

myself and my life structure.

No!

Almost!

Actually it's about having

created a good feeling

how you spent your day.

Sometimes, I say,

"I give the day the chance

to show up with positive surprises."

That's way to philosophical for me now.