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'We hope to be the first team to play the Champions League final at home this season' - Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller
Ahead of his club's two-day sojourn to India, the Germany star shares his excitement about the possibilities of the current campaign and reflects on his meteoric rise
8 Jan 2012 10:03:00
Bongarts
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Thomas Muller has seen his stock rise tremendously since his first trip to India back in January 2009. Fast-forward three years and the 22-year-old has won the Best Young Player award and the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup, won every major title domestically and also featured in the Champions League final.
He may not be the best dribbler on the pitch, but his strength lies in getting the basics right, coupled with his calmness and composure, which remind tennis fans of a young Pete Sampras, also dubbed ‘Mr. Cool’ back then.
In an exclusive interview, Thomas Muller talks about what success at a young age means to him and his ambitions with Bayern Munich this season.
Goal.com: What are your plans and goals for the ongoing season?
TM: At FC Bayern the Bundesliga title is always the first priority. Besides that, we want to reach the German Cup final in Berlin as it is a great experience. And then there is the dream of playing the Champions League final at home in May 2012. No team has ever achieved this, so we hope to be the first. But that will be a rocky ride until then. And also we are travelling to the 2012 European Championships not to finish third, but win the title.You were the Best Young Player of the 2010 Fifa World Cup and also the Golden Boot winner. Can you recall some of those memorable moments? Were you expecting it at that age?
TM: Oh, the 2010 World Cup is already history. Surely it was a steep rise for me, but besides the luck that I have had there has been a lot of work which I have put into my career so far. I haven’t achieved all this because I am a nice boy, but because I was able to convince my coaches of my quality. But honestly things have been going great for me!
Early success | Achieving while young inspires Muller
TM: I became a professional footballer because I love football. The titles that I have won at a young age are a further inspiration to work hard to continue to be successful.
As an international footballer, you travel so frequently. What are the best and worst things about it?
TM: The nice thing is that one gets to visit many cities and countries, like Delhi now. But every trip always includes fatigue, especially in weeks with midweek fixtures when we have a game every three or four days.
What are the lessons for young kids who want to grow up to be a footballer like you? What are the basics of being a world-class footballer?
TM: One has to consequently follow their goals, while you have to do without certain things. But that has never bothered me as I wanted to become a professional footballer. I have worked hard and fought for my dream.
How different is it to play at Bayern Munich compared to other international clubs?
TM: I have only played for Bayern Munich and cannot make a judgement on this. At FCB I have everything that I need.
Reward for hard work | "I have worked hard and fought for my dream"
What was your most memorable moment in football so far?
TM: My first season as a professional with the Uefa Champions League final and the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.
What does the trip to India mean to you?TM: : I am happy to come back to India for a second time after the visit to Kolkata and Siliguri in January 2009. But we only have little time in Delhi as we are coming straight from our training camp in Qatar and fly back to Munich directly after the match.
What is the message that you will be carrying for millions of football fans in India?
TM: Football is the best team sport in the world and it is good to hear that more and more kids are playing football in India.What's the importance of this trip to India for you?
TM: I hope the Indian football fans can enjoy a great game against the Indian national team.
Catch India vs Bayern Munich On January 10, 18.00IST Only On Ten Action!
More information about the match and where to buy tickets online are available at www.audifootballsummit.in
The official Twitter account of the Audi Football Summit can be found under http://twitter.com/#!/AudiFS2012
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