40 Fascinating Facts About Gerd Müller

Gerd Müller, known as “Der Bomber” for his incredible scoring ability, is one of football’s greatest legends. Born on November 3, 1945, in Nördlingen, Germany, Müller’s career is characterized by his exceptional goal-scoring record for both club and country. Playing primarily as a striker, Müller’s knack for finding the back of the net made him one of the most feared forwards of his time. His contributions to football have left an indelible mark on the history of the sport. Here are 40 facts about Gerd Müller that highlight the achievements and milestones of his illustrious career.

Gerd Müller was born on November 3, 1945, in Nördlingen, Germany.
He began his professional career with TSV 1861 Nördlingen.
Müller joined FC Bayern Munich in 1964, where he spent the majority of his career.
He scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga matches for Bayern Munich.
Müller won the Bundesliga top scorer title seven times.
He was instrumental in Bayern Munich’s three consecutive European Cup victories from 1974 to 1976.
Müller scored the winning goal for West Germany in the 1974 FIFA World Cup final against the Netherlands.
He retired from international football in 1974 with 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany.
Müller’s international goalscoring record stood for almost 40 years until it was broken by Miroslav Klose in 2014.
He won the Ballon d’Or in 1970.
Müller held the record for the most goals in a calendar year with 85 in 1972, a record that stood until Lionel Messi broke it in 2012.
He is one of the few players to have scored over 500 goals for a single club.
Müller helped West Germany win the UEFA European Championship in 1972.
He won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.
Müller also won four DFB-Pokal titles with Bayern.
He was the top scorer of the 1970 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals.
Müller retired from professional football in 1981.
After retiring as a player, Müller struggled with alcoholism but later recovered with the help of Bayern Munich.
He then served as a coach for Bayern Munich’s reserve team.
Müller was known for his incredible shot precision and ability to score from almost any position.
Despite his relatively short stature for a striker (5 ft 9 in), his agility and acceleration were remarkable.
Müller’s nickname “Der Bomber” was due to his explosive style of play and goal-scoring prowess.
He was awarded the Golden Boot as the top scorer of the 1970 World Cup.
Müller was part of the Bayern Munich team that won the Intercontinental Cup in 1976.
He scored a total of 66 goals in European club competitions.
Müller was inducted into the German Football Hall of Fame.
In 2004, Pelé named Müller in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players.
He scored his debut goal for West Germany in his first international match in 1966.
Müller’s efficiency in front of goal was such that he averaged over a goal a game in international competitions.
He held the record for the most goals scored in European Cup (now UEFA Champions League) history for over 30 years.
Müller was known for his humility and was described as unassuming off the pitch.
In 1999, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) voted Müller as the most outstanding German footballer of the 20th century.
He was the Bundesliga’s all-time leading scorer until his record was surpassed by Robert Lewandowski in 2021.
Müller’s record of 40 goals in a single Bundesliga season stood for 49 years before being broken.
He has a stadium named after him, the Gerd-Müller-Stadion in his hometown of Nördlingen.
Müller was known for his short, quick steps and incredible balance, which helped him maneuver in tight spaces.
In 1972, he was named German Footballer of the Year.
Müller’s career total of official goals is reported to be over 700.
He was a key player in Bayern Munich’s rise from a regional club to a world-class team.
Gerd Müller passed away on August 15, 2021, leaving behind a legacy as one of football’s greatest ever goal-scorers.