Bayern Munich legends Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Manuel Neuer, and Robert Lewandowski have paid tribute to forward Thomas Müller after he broke the record for most appearances with the Bavarian club, a record previously held by the legendary Sepp Maier for over forty years.

Rummenigge, who was a Ballon d’Or winner and former club president, expressed gratitude towards Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, who managed Bayern from 2009 to 2011, for having the courage to trust Müller. “Fans love iconic figures like him,” Rummenigge noted, highlighting that Müller has been with the team since he was eleven.

“Müller meets and continues to meet all the requirements we want. I always say he’s one of the most cost-effective players in history. He never gets injured, doesn’t need a backup, and to be honest, there’s no substitute for him because his style of play is unique,” Rummenigge added.

Rummenigge compared Müller to club icons like Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller, noting it’s no coincidence that Bayern enjoyed its most successful decade with him.

“Thomas will never have to reproach himself at the end of his career because he always gave 100% of his talent. Thomas is made of excellent character; true Bavarian craftsmanship. He’s a Bavarian icon like no other,” he emphasized.

“He Has Bayern’s DNA”

Manuel Neuer, Bayern’s goalkeeper and Müller’s captain and teammate, praised Müller for having “Bayern’s DNA,” describing him as someone who “always wants to win.”

“I don’t think I know a player as ambitious as him, who also learns so quickly. No matter what style of play you propose, he can adapt in the blink of an eye. Thomas is simply a winner. We need players like him,” Neuer said.

Neuer also appreciated Müller’s communication skills, noting how he keeps the team focused and strategizes on the field, especially in how they attack and defend together. “During the COVID-19 period when we played without spectators, everyone watching on TV noticed how much Thomas communicates during a game. This was crucial, especially in the knockout matches in Lisbon when we won the Champions League,” Neuer recalled.

“He’s also learned to listen more over the years. He pays close attention to others and supports them. He’s very alert and knows how to respond well to his teammates,” the goalkeeper added.

“A Perfect All-Rounder”

Robert Lewandowski, who played alongside Müller at Bayern and is now with Barcelona, described his former teammate as a “perfect all-rounder” who “talks almost the entire game and gives orders,” but whose “instructions never distracted him from finding the optimal free space.”

“That’s something I’ve only seen in him; he’s totally committed to the team. And even though he talks a lot, we understood each other without words in crucial moments. That’s something I really appreciate about Thomas: a look or a movement is enough for the other player to know exactly what’s going to happen. When I think of our relationship, two words come to mind: unique and honest,” Lewandowski said.