Playing for 90
Fansided

Ranking the 30 Ballon d’Or nominees

By Carter Mulvihill

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 11: FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 nominees Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid answer media questions during the FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 11: FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 nominees Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid answer media questions during the FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 31
Next

21. Thomas Muller

MUNICH, GERMANY – OCTOBER 22: Thomas Mueller of Muenchen runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Allianz Arena on October 22, 2016 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – OCTOBER 22: Thomas Mueller of Muenchen runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Allianz Arena on October 22, 2016 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

That penalty miss against Italy aside, you’d have to squint pretty hard to find a flaw in Thomas Muller’s game. The German can play as a false No. 9, a classic No. 10 or an inverted winger, and there’s a reason why he’s a centerpiece of a Bayern squad that’s considered the most versatile group of players in the world.

Just 27, but considered a veteran on his German and Bayern squads, Muller has already accomplished everything a player could wish for both club and country. His next step? Winning the Champions League — again.

The last time Bayern were crowned Champions of Europe, it was the Bastian Schweinsteiger, Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery team. Now, Muller is among the leaders of the attack. Though a Bundesliga title is expected, Borussia Dortmund won’t make that easy as well. Bayern will likely need another 20-goal season from Muller to secure another league title.

Internationally, it’s been the Euros that have evaded not just Germany, but specifically Muller’s scoring touch. Despite 10 goals in two World Cups, Muller has yet to find the net in a pair of Euros as the Germans have bowed out in the semifinals both times.

But as World Cup qualifiers have begun, we know Germany will not only be there, but they’ll be among the favorites as well. Should Muller score five goals for the third straight World Cup, his lack of Euros form will be all but forgotten.

Home/International Soccer