Der Bomber: The legacy of Gerd Muller
Here's a look at the legendary footballer, Gerd Muller.
Edited By Mehar Jaitely
ANALYSIS
Bundesliga
Bundesliga
Feb. 14, 2021, 9:04 a.m.
Gerd Muller also known as Der Bomber is considered one of the best out and out striker of all time. Let’s look at the journey of a forgotten great whose career has been overshadowed by icons like Pele and Maradona.
The birth of a legend
Gerhard Muller was a man born to score goals. Even when he was in the womb, he was said to have been kicking too hard. Müller was born on November 3, 1945, in Nördlingen, Germany. He joined his boyhood club 1861 Nördlingen at the age of 17 and went on to bag 51 goals in 31 matches. After an impressive stint with his boyhood club, he made a decision that changed German football forever.
Bayern's saviour
Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 Munich both wanted to sign him. He decided against joining 1860 Munich because the team already had too many superstars. Instead, he chose Bayern Munich in a strategic move to secure a spot in the team’s starting 11. He joined Bayern in 1964, a time when they were languishing in the second division.
(Image Courtesy: Bundesliga)
Despite his early success at Nördlingen, he wasn't popular with his Bayern teammates who nicknamed him “short, fat Muller” due to his stature. After making a spot for himself in the Bayern starting eleven, Muller helped in promoting the team to the 1st division on the back of his 33 goals. This was their first season in the topflight. This promotion was accompanied by winning the DFB Pokal and finishing third in the Bundesliga.
365 - #OptaBLegends striker Gerd #Müller has scored 365 Bundesliga goals, at least 97 more than any other player in the history of the competition. Bomber. https://t.co/AANDRY9Gk0 pic.twitter.com/JopQjLl0dP
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) May 14, 2020
Since then, Muller has gone on to become the leading goal scorer in Bayern's history, helping them win the Bundesliga 4 times, the DFB Pokal cup 4 times and three consecutive European Cups. He’s the all-time top scorer in all three competition. Only his record tally in the Champions League has been usurped. His brilliance was recognised in 1970 when he won the Ballon d’Or.
International Career
(Image Courtesy: FIFA)
A 20-year-old Gerd Muller made his debut for the West German team. He was an instant success for the national side and scored important goals to help them qualify for the 1970 FIFA world cup in Mexico. At the tournament, he scored 10 goals in 6 matches including 2 consecutive hattricks in the group stage. But the success in the 1970 world cup was short-lived as his team was knocked out in the semi-finals by Italy in what would eventually be known as the game of the century. West Germany lifted the 1972 Euros thanks to 2 goals in the final by the tournament’s top scorer Muller. This was followed by the world cup win in 1974 on home soil where he scored the decisive goal in the final against Johan Cruyff's the Netherlands, his last match for the national team.
Here's a look at the legendary footballer, Gerd Muller.
Edited By Mehar Jaitely
ANALYSIS
Bundesliga
BundesligaFeb. 14, 2021, 9:04 a.m.
Gerd Muller also known as Der Bomber is considered one of the best out and out striker of all time. Let’s look at the journey of a forgotten great whose career has been overshadowed by icons like Pele and Maradona.
The birth of a legend
Gerhard Muller was a man born to score goals. Even when he was in the womb, he was said to have been kicking too hard. Müller was born on November 3, 1945, in Nördlingen, Germany. He joined his boyhood club 1861 Nördlingen at the age of 17 and went on to bag 51 goals in 31 matches. After an impressive stint with his boyhood club, he made a decision that changed German football forever.
Bayern's saviour
Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 Munich both wanted to sign him. He decided against joining 1860 Munich because the team already had too many superstars. Instead, he chose Bayern Munich in a strategic move to secure a spot in the team’s starting 11. He joined Bayern in 1964, a time when they were languishing in the second division.
(Image Courtesy: Bundesliga)
Despite his early success at Nördlingen, he wasn't popular with his Bayern teammates who nicknamed him “short, fat Muller” due to his stature. After making a spot for himself in the Bayern starting eleven, Muller helped in promoting the team to the 1st division on the back of his 33 goals. This was their first season in the topflight. This promotion was accompanied by winning the DFB Pokal and finishing third in the Bundesliga.
365 - #OptaBLegends striker Gerd #Müller has scored 365 Bundesliga goals, at least 97 more than any other player in the history of the competition. Bomber. https://t.co/AANDRY9Gk0 pic.twitter.com/JopQjLl0dP
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) May 14, 2020
Since then, Muller has gone on to become the leading goal scorer in Bayern's history, helping them win the Bundesliga 4 times, the DFB Pokal cup 4 times and three consecutive European Cups. He’s the all-time top scorer in all three competition. Only his record tally in the Champions League has been usurped. His brilliance was recognised in 1970 when he won the Ballon d’Or.
International Career
(Image Courtesy: FIFA)
A 20-year-old Gerd Muller made his debut for the West German team. He was an instant success for the national side and scored important goals to help them qualify for the 1970 FIFA world cup in Mexico. At the tournament, he scored 10 goals in 6 matches including 2 consecutive hattricks in the group stage. But the success in the 1970 world cup was short-lived as his team was knocked out in the semi-finals by Italy in what would eventually be known as the game of the century. West Germany lifted the 1972 Euros thanks to 2 goals in the final by the tournament’s top scorer Muller. This was followed by the world cup win in 1974 on home soil where he scored the decisive goal in the final against Johan Cruyff's the Netherlands, his last match for the national team.