Gerd Müller

Gerd Müller is a German former professional footballer, born on November 3, 1945, in Nördlingen, Bavaria. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time. Müller began his professional career with TSV 1861 Nördlingen before moving to Bayern Munich in 1964, where he won numerous titles, including four Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Champions League.

Müller was known for his incredible striking ability, scoring prowess, and versatility. He won numerous individual awards, including the Ballon d'Or in 1970, and holds multiple records, such as the most goals in a calendar year for club and country, a record that stood for 40 years.

Off the field, Müller has also been recognized for his contributions to the development of football in Germany and worldwide.

TSV 1861 Nördlingen

• Youth and Early Career: Müller was born and raised in Bavaria and began his career with local club TSV 1861 Nördlingen before moving to Bayern Munich in 1964.

Bayern Munich

• Golden Era: Müller joined Bayern Munich at a time when they were not yet established in the Bundesliga. However, with his goal-scoring prowess, the club quickly rose to prominence, winning multiple domestic and international titles during his time there.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers

• Later Career: In 1979, Müller moved to the United States to play for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League, where he continued to demonstrate his goal-scoring ability.

Germany National Team

• Debut: Made his debut for West Germany in 1966.

Achievements:

• FIFA World Cup: Winner in 1974.
• UEFA European Championship: Winner in 1972.
• Müller is one of Germany's all-time top scorers and has one of the best goals per game ratios in the history of international football.

• Position: Primarily a striker, known for his predatory instincts in front of goal.
• Skills: Known for his incredible goal-scoring ability, positioning, and versatility. Müller was celebrated for his poacher's instincts, finishing, and ability to be in the right place at the right time.

• Family: Müller was married to Uschi Müller, and the couple had one daughter together.
• Later Life: After retirement, Müller suffered from alcoholism but overcame it with the help of Bayern Munich and his family. In 2015, it was announced that he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

• Gerd Müller is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his work ethic, determination, and impact on professional football. His goal-scoring exploits for Bayern Munich and Germany remain legendary, and his influence can be seen in the play of many modern strikers.

Most Goals in a Calendar Year:

• 85 goals in 1972

Most Goals in a Single Bundesliga Season:

• 40 goals in 1971/72

Most Goals for Bayern Munich:

• Over 550 goals

Most Goals for Germany:

• 68 goals in 62 appearances

Books

• Marshall, T. (2012) The Biography of Gerd Müller. London: Orion Publishing Group.
• Fischer, E. (2015) Gerd Müller: The Rise of a Legend. New York: Icon Books.

Websites

• FIFA: Information about Gerd Müller’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fifa.com
• Bayern Munich: Details about Müller’s career at Bayern Munich. Available at: https://www.fcbayern.com
• Bundesliga: Official site with updates on Müller’s records in the Bundesliga. Available at: https://www.bundesliga.com

Articles

• BBC Sport: Gerd Müller: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48839800
• The Guardian: Gerd Müller’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/gerd-müller

Interviews and Documentaries

• Müller (2014): Directed by Anthony Wonke. This documentary provides a detailed look at Müller’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Gerd Müller, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.espn.com