Müller now plays “soccer”: New adventure begins

"For me, it was always about being myself. I'll be that here too," said the 35-year-old former international when he was officially introduced as the new Vancouver Whitecaps soccer star in the Canadian metropolis. The FC Bayern Munich club legend is also a professional entertainer in English; at his press conference in front of numerous sponsors and elite fans, the 2014 World Cup winner cracked jokes as naturally and frequently as the German audience has become accustomed to for years. "I was used to playing soccer. Now I play soccer," he joked right at the start.

Müller can also tell jokes and wisdom in English And yet, many of Müller's sentences also contain the usual dose of wisdom and analysis for which he is known. When asked about the biggest challenges now that he's living abroad for the first time, he says he knows how to vacuum and clean an apartment. "I've always been very curious and have always loved not only working with people but also spending time with them, and that's why I don't feel like a stranger at all. I think I'll feel at home here very quickly," he said.

Müller was once again in a really good mood. © APA / ELIZABETH RUIZ RUIZ

He also had access to authentic Läberkäs (cheese), he said, referring to the catering company run by a German woman that provided a buffet of pretzels and other Bavarian delicacies to welcome and delight the Canadians. "It has to be said that Bavarian cuisine wasn't necessarily created for competitive sports, at least not for modern sports," Müller joked. "And yet, you can still enjoy it every now and then, and that's why I'm glad I have a place to turn to here and don't have to have anything specially sent from Germany."

Müller's adventure has begun At the airport, Müller was greeted by a delegation from the Musqueam Tribe with a traditional drum march. At the press conference, he received an eagle feather and a handmade headband from the Squamish Tribe, all in front of about 200 people. "There's more going on here than on any election night. No Canadian politician is even close to his size," said a Canadian cameraman.

Thomas Müller (center) with Whitecaps coach Jesper Sörensen (left) and sporting director Axel Schuster. © APA / ELIZABETH RUIZ RUIZ

Müller is embarking on the adventure he's been seeking in Canada – without losing sight of what brings him the most joy. An adventure is "only exciting if you can play for titles," said the FC Bayern Munich record player, who is ditching his number 25 and will wear the number 13 on his back in Vancouver, just like he does with the national team: "There's a chance of that, not just this year, but next year as well."

Whitecaps manager: “He really cares about football” The Whitecaps are second in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer and are well on course for the playoffs. In the separate Canadian Championship, the team is in the semifinals and "is on its way to becoming Canadian champions for the fourth time in a row, something that has never happened before," as Axel Schuster proudly emphasized.

The German manager, who has a past at FC Schalke 04 and FSV Mainz 05, has been in charge as sporting director for almost six years and believes that the city, team and fans have "deserved" the biggest transfer in their history and the attention that comes with it.

Müller now plays on artificial turf But Schuster is also important: "We didn't sign Thomas for the attention. But because he will help the team." Even in the first video call between Schuster, Müller, and coach Jesper Sörensen, Müller's role in the team was discussed at length and intensively. "I quickly realized that it's not about the money for him, it's about football," Schuster told the German press agency. "It doesn't bother him that we're a small club. It doesn't bother him that we play on artificial turf. He really cares about football and our idea of it."

Müller likes Sörensen – even on the first day of their meeting, their interaction is so familiar that the German gives the Dane a vigorous shoulder massage on stage. Müller feels comfortable in his new surroundings. "Throughout my career, I've always managed to adapt to my surroundings relatively quickly. My teams, even though I've always stayed at Bayern, and my teammates have changed," he explained. "The style of football has changed, and I've always found my niche, being important for teams, and that's really what it's all about."

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Müller now plays “soccer”: New adventure begins

There is no need to worry about Thomas Müller – not even during his first time in Canada.

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