National team: Matthäus on Müller’s decision: “Surprising for me”
National team
Matthäus about Müller’s decision: “Surprising for me”
Lothar Matthäus is surprised by Thomas Müller’s decision to continue playing for the DFB team. photo
© Tom Weller/German Press Agency GmbH/dpa
Thomas Müller wants to continue in the national team – despite the World Cup debacle. Lothar Matthäus is amazed by this decision. The record national player still has a lot of confidence in Müller.
The German soccer record player Lothar Matthäus (61) expects that Thomas Müller will also play an important role in the national team in the future.
“If Thomas is available, the national coach will rely on him. I know Hansi (Flick). Of course he relies on young players. But Thomas Müller still enjoys great trust because of his success, experience and manner,” said Matthew of the media group “Münchner Merkur/tz”.
In March 2019, the then national coach Joachim Löw temporarily stopped Müller’s DFB career in a three-pack with Mats Hummels and Jérôme Boateng. But after a forced break of almost two years, he brought him back for the EM 2021. His successor Flick built on Müller without compromise, despite moderate performances in all three games at the World Cup Qatar late last year.
Mueller reports ready
“As long as I’m a professional footballer, I will always be available in the National teamwhen I’m needed,” said Müller at FC Bayern Munich’s training camp in Qatar. “Of course, the national coach has to decide when, if and how.”
Matthäus is also amazed by the announcement of the 33-year-old attacking player. “His decision comes as a surprise to me because I thought he would just focus on that for the next three to five years FC Bayern. But I’m happy for Thomas that he still has the ambition to play for the German national team,” said Matthäus, who made 150 appearances for the DFB team. “If he dares to do it and performs, then please. I hope there will be more games added. Of course, the EM 2024 in his own country is also a motivation for Thomas.”
Müller has a lot of competition on the offensive. “He’s a leading player. The young players look up to him and come to him with questions. But there are many other players in his position in the national team,” said Matthäus. “The competition is very big in the hanging position behind the nine with Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz.”
