A bittersweet farewell for a Bayern legend

On July 5, 2025, Thomas Müller played his final match with Bayern Munich, marking the end of a remarkable 25-year journey. The 35-year-old forward came on as a substitute during the final minutes of the quarterfinal loss against Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup. Despite trying to leave a final mark, the game ended 2-0 in favor of the Parisians, and a late penalty that seemed to favor Müller was overturned by VAR.

After the final whistle, Müller approached the fans to show his appreciation. Having joined Bayern Munich’s youth academy at age 10 in the summer of 2000, his path to becoming a club legend was nothing short of exceptional.

Historic numbers from the eternal No. 25

Throughout his senior career, Thomas Müller played over 700 matches, scoring 250 goals and assisting more than 200 times. He helped Bayern Munich win 13 Bundesliga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies, among several other honors.

His final goals in a Bayern jersey came in the group stage of this year’s Club World Cup, where he netted twice in the 10-0 win over Auckland City. However, the team’s campaign came to an end in the quarterfinals, with PSG emerging victorious even after finishing the match with nine players.

Speaking after the match, Müller reflected on the result: “We put everything out there. It felt like we were close to equalizing, but in tight matches like these, sometimes it's just about one moment—and it didn't go our way.”

The end of an era

Bayern Munich announced in April that they would not renew Müller’s contract, and the club paid tribute to him during his final home match of the 2024-25 Bundesliga season. A few months earlier, Müller had already confirmed his departure on social media, writing: “My 25 years as a player for FC Bayern Munich will come to an end this summer. It’s been an incredible journey filled with unique experiences and unforgettable victories.”

Though Müller has yet to reveal his next destination, speculation has linked him to several MLS teams in the United States. As he steps away from Bayern, he leaves behind not only records but also the legacy of a one-club man in an era of constant change.