The entire football world is in mourning after the death of legendary German striker Gerd Muller. Bayern Munich, Muller's former club, announced the sad news on Sunday, with tributes quickly pouring in for the 75-year-old forward who holds the record for the most goals scored in the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer released a statement on the club's website regarding Muller's passing. "Today is a sad, dark day for FC Bayern and all its fans," said Hainer, who later added that "Muller was the greatest striker there's ever been" and that he was "a fine person and character of world football."
Muller made Bayern one of the biggest clubs in the world
Bayern CEO and club legend Oliver Kahn also paid tribute to the greatness of Muller, saying his achievements are unrivaled up to this day. Kahn also praised Muller's role in making Bayern one of the biggest football clubs in the world.
Muller joined Bayern Munich back in 1964 and quickly made a name for himself with the German giants. He turned Bayern into a German and European powerhouse, lifting four Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, three European Cup titles, and the European Cup Winners' Cup.
Muller also won the Intercontinental Cup with Bayern Munich, a tournament played between the winners of the European Cup and South America's Copa Libertadores. Muller finished his career with Bayern, averaging almost a goal per game for the German club, scoring an incredible 566 goals in 607 appearances.
His 365-goal tally in the Bundesliga continues to be the scoring record up to this day, with Robert Lewandowski a far second with 277 goals scored thus far.
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Muller turns West Germany into an international powerhouse
Muller wasn't just a titan in club football. He also was a legend on the international stage. He scored 68 goals in 62 appearances for the West Germany national team, leading them to victories in the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup.
Muller, who is famously called Der Bomber by German fans, scored twice in the 1972 Euro final against the Soviet Union and scored the winner in West Germany's 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the World Cup finale two years later.
DFB, Germany's football association, paid tribute to Muller on Twitter, posting a message that said, "The DFB is mourning the passing of one of the greatest German footballers of all time. Rest in peace, Gerd Müller. Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this time."
Muller suffered from dementia in the later years of his life and lived in a nursing home to the south of Munich, according to FIFA's website in an article posted in November 2020. He is survived by his wife, Uschi, and their daughter.
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