Gerd Müller: Bayern Munich and Germany legend dies
15.08.2021 - The football world is mourning the loss of Gerd Müller, the Bundesliga's record goalscorer, who has passed away at the age of 75.
Between 1965 and 1979, Müller scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern Munich. The Nördlingen native also won a record seven top scorer's cannons, and in 1971/72 set a 40-goal single-season record, which stood for 49 years until Robert Lewandowski rewrote the history books with 41 strikes last season.
In 607 competitive games for Bayern, Müller scored 566 goals. He won four Bundesliga titles and four DFB Cups with the record champions, and was twice named Germany's Footballer of the Year (1967 and 1969). His career was honoured by the DFL as part of the Bundesliga's 40th anniversary celebrations.
"There'll never be a striker like Gerd Müller," commented DFL CEO Christian Seifert. "He was an outstanding goalscorer; an idol for a generation, who set unbelievable records - many of which are still standing today.
"To know him, was a real honour and pleasure for me. The news of his death fills me with sadness.
"German football will perpetuate the memory of Gerd Müller."
On the international stage, Müller scored the winning goal against the Netherlands to hand Germany their second FIFA World Cup title at the 1974 finals. At Mexico 1970, where Germany finished third, he claimed the Golden Boot as the tournament's 10-goal top scorer, and was instrumental in Die Mannschaft's triumphant 1972 UEFA Euros campaign. All told, 'Der Bomber der Nation' produced 68 goals in 62 senior international appearances. Only Miroslav Klose has scored more.
Müller also got his hands on continental honours with Bayern, winning the Intercontinental Cup, three European Cups and the now defunct European Cup Winner's Cup. He saw out his playing career with a three-year stint in the USA, before returning to Bayern as a youth coach.
Müller is survived by his wife, Uschi, and a daughter.
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