'Knees of a 15-year-old': Smiling soccer star Müller begins new chapter with Vancouver Whitecaps
If Thomas Müller's offensive output on the soccer pitch can rival the charm offensive on display at his first Vancouver Whitecaps' news conference, the German legend will be worth every penny of the millions the team is shelling out to sign him.
Appearing happy and relaxed in downtown Vancouver the morning after his arrival at YVR, the 35-year-old played for laughs from the podium, fully at ease speaking both English and German.
He joked about learning to say "soccer" instead of "football," took a question from the German caterer working the event, did goat impersonations into the microphone and boasted that the hard artificial turf at B.C. Place Stadium — considered by some players to be career-shortening — is no match for his ageless athlete's body.
"My body feels, even at this stage of my career, too good to retire," he said, flashing a wide smile.
"My knees are like the knees of a 15-year-old... Normally, with this kind of turf, it's good for the passing... to have nice combinations, quick combinations, it's sometimes better than [real grass] turf."
Nice passing, goals and assists are exactly what is expected of Müller, who could see game action as early as Sunday when the Whitecaps host Houston.
His unparalleled resume includes 13 Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, the only club he has ever played for up until now. In 2014, he helped Germany win the World Cup, four years after earning the golden boot as top scorer at the 2010 World Cup.
He said coming to Vancouver — "one of the best cities in the world" — is nice, but he's more interested in adding to his trophy case.
"I played so many years at Bayern... it was time for an adventure. But an adventure for me is only interesting when it's having a chance to go for titles. If you watch the Vancouver Whitecaps this season, and the development in the last season, there is a chance," he said.
Müller's move is also headline news in Germany, witnessed by the contingent of more than half a dozen reporters who have travelled to cover his arrival.
According to Philipp Hinze, Sky Germany soccer reporter, fans back home were surprised that Müller chose Vancouver as his landing spot after leaving Bayern Munich.
"It's not the U.S., it's Canada. It's not Los Angeles or New York, it's Vancouver," said Hinze. "If I'm honest, in Germany, it's a very small club. We don't know a lot about the Whitecaps."
Hinze believes Muller, even in the sunset of his career, will bring excitement to the Whitecaps and Major League Soccer.
"Age is just a number, especially in football. He's not the fastest, his technical abilities are not the best. He's not like a Messi or Ronaldo, but he's such an intelligent player," said Hinze.
"He'll play as an attacking midfielder behind the striker. So he can play left, play right, play deep, score goals, kick some assists. He will be the X-factor for the Whitecaps."
Team officials say Müllermania has seized the city since the signing was announced last week.
"We have never sold so many jerseys in such a short time," said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps sporting director. "Our ticket sales for all the remaining home games of the season have spiked, and the game on the weekend is sold out."
The Whitecaps sit second in the MLS West conference standings with nine regular-season games remaining.
cbc.ca
