One year ago, Thomas Müller (36) put his signature on the contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps. On the anniversary, the former Bayern pro has posted twice on Instagram: with a short video and with an extensive photo series from his first twelve months in the North American professional league MLS.
In the clip, someone holds up an autograph to him and wants to know if he still remembers it. Müller doesn't have to think long. "I remember the day I signed that [...] It's been a wild ride so far", he says.
One year in pictures
Just how wild is shown in the carousel post that Müller also published. He can be seen with his number 13 jersey, celebrating, in front of the stadium, proudly with the trophy and right among the fans.
From the stands, a banner greeted him with the words "Welcome Raumdeuter". The banner refers to a term that Müller once gave himself. In 2011, he described his playing style in an interview with "Süddeutsche Zeitung" as that of a Raumdeuter (space interpreter). The term has accompanied him ever since, apparently all the way across the Atlantic.
A bee sting cake also made it into the selection, with which he was congratulated on his 300th goal. Added to that are exuberant scenes with teammates on the field, brief exchanges with fans and, as a curiosity, a Whitecaps Labubu, of which he obviously had no idea what it was.
The club shared the retrospective on its own channel once again. In the comments below, fans are effusive: "What an incredible year that was!", writes one, "One of our stars" another. Voices from the old homeland also appear: "We miss you in Munich." This comment sums up the enthusiasm for Müller everywhere: "How can you not love this guy."
"My English has improved significantly"
What the year in Canada has done to him, Müller told "Bild". "When you've spent your entire career at the same club, you don't know exactly what to expect elsewhere", he told the newspaper.
"All the nicer it is now to see that I also function in Vancouver in a different cultural sphere: on the field and as a person in connection with the fans and the people in the city. That's a great experience that broadens my horizons and lets me mature as a person."
He calls Canadians a polite and laid-back people, Vancouver a city where many international people and cultures meet. One point is particularly important to him: "My English has improved significantly."
The title is still missing
Between the Upper Bavarian TSV Pähl and the Canadian Pacific coast lie 13 German championships, two Champions League titles with FC Bayern and the World Cup title with the national team in 2014 in Brazil. The first title on Canadian soil is already in the bag with the cup victory, but the MLS championship is still missing: Last season, Müller stood with the Whitecaps in the MLS final and lost there 1-3 against Inter Miami around Argentine superstar Lionel Messi (39).
His contract with the Whitecaps is dated until the end of 2026 according to ZDF, the title remains his stated goal, and he has apparently settled in perfectly: Another year on the Pacific coast is not ruled out.
