Editing Gerd Müller

{{short description|German footballer (1945–2021)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| image = Gerd_M%C3%BCller_c1973_(cropped).jpg
| caption = Müller with [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] in 1973
| full_name = Gerhard Müller
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1945|11|3}}
| birth_place = [[Nördlingen]], [[American occupation zone in Germany|Southwest zone]], Allied-occupied Germany
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2021|8|15|1945|11|3}}
| death_place = [[Wolfratshausen]], Germany
| height = 1.76 m<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fussballdaten.de/spieler/muellergerhard/|publisher=fussballdaten.de|title=Gerd Müller|language=de|access-date=17 December 2008|archive-date=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223012407/http://www.fussballdaten.de/spieler/muellergerhard/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| currentclub = 
| position = [[Forward (association football)#Striker|Striker]]
| youthyears1 = 1958–1963
| youthclubs1 = [[TSV 1861 Nördlingen|1861 Nördlingen]]
| years1 = 1963–1964
| years2 = 1964–1979
| years3 = 1979–1981
| clubs1 = [[TSV 1861 Nördlingen|1861 Nördlingen]]
| clubs2 = [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]
| clubs3 = [[Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983)|Fort Lauderdale Strikers]]
| caps1 = 31
| goals1 = 51
| caps2 = 453
| goals2 = 398
| caps3 = 71
| goals3 = 38
| totalcaps = 555
| totalgoals = 487
| nationalyears1 = 1966
| nationalyears2 = 1966–1974
| nationalteam1 = [[Germany national under-21 football team|West Germany U23]]
| nationalteam2 = [[Germany national football team|West Germany]]
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalcaps2 = 62
| nationalgoals2 = [[List of international goals scored by Gerd Müller|68]]
| manageryears1 = 1992–2014
| managerclubs1 = [[FC Bayern Munich II|Bayern Munich II]] (assistant)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|West Germany}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1974 FIFA World Cup|1974 West Germany]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[1970 FIFA World Cup|1970 Mexico]]|}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[UEFA European Championship]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[UEFA Euro 1972|1972 Belgium]]|}}
}}
'''Gerhard''' "'''Gerd'''" '''Müller''' ({{IPA|de|ˈɡɛʁt ˈmʏlɐ}}; 3 November 1945 – 15 August 2021)<ref name=guardianobituary>{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/16/gerd-muller-obituary | title = Gerd Müller obituary | access-date = 23 October 2021 | newspaper = The Guardian | first = Peter | last = Mason | date = 16 August 2021 | archive-date = 23 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211023080916/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/16/gerd-muller-obituary | url-status = live }}</ref> was a German professional [[association football|footballer]]. A prolific [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]], especially in and around the [[six-yard box]], he is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers and players in the history of the sport.<ref name="FIFA Muller">{{cite web | url = https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=174790/profile.html | title = Der Bomber wrote records for eternity | publisher = FIFA.com | access-date = 25 January 2018 | archive-date = 24 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180124100357/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=174790/profile.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> With success at club and international level, he is one of nine players to have won the [[FIFA World Cup]], the [[UEFA Champions League]] and the [[Ballon d'Or]].

At international level with [[Germany national football team|West Germany]], he scored [[List of international goals scored by Gerd Müller|68 goals]] in 62 appearances, and at club level, in 15 years with [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]], in which he scored 365 goals in 427 [[Bundesliga]] matches, he became—and still is—[[List of Bundesliga top scorers|record holder of that league]]. In 74 European club games he scored 65 goals. Averaging over a goal a game with West Germany, Müller was, as of 11 July 2021, 21st on the list of [[List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals|all time international goalscorers]], despite having played fewer matches than every other player in the top 48. Among the top scorers, he has the third-highest goal-to-game ratio. He also had the highest ratio of 0.97 goals per game in the [[European Cup]], scoring 34 goals in 35 matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/026c-13015edde07e-05f3aa02ee19-1000--football-world-mourns-gerd-muller/ |title=Football world in mourning for Gerd Müller |website=UEFA |date=15 August 2021 |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-date=20 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820052704/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/news/026c-13015edde07e-05f3aa02ee19-1000--football-world-mourns-gerd-muller/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nicknamed "''Bomber der Nation''" ("the nation's Bomber") or simply "'''''Der Bomber'''''",<ref name="FIFA Muller"/> Müller was named [[European Footballer of the Year]] in 1970. After a successful season at Bayern Munich, he scored ten goals at the [[1970 FIFA World Cup]] for West Germany where he received the [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Boot|Golden Boot]] as top goalscorer, before winning the [[1970 Ballon d'Or]]. In 1972, he won the [[UEFA Euro 1972|UEFA European Championship]] and was the top goalscorer, scoring two goals in the [[UEFA Euro 1972 Final|final]]. Two years later, he scored 4 goals in the [[1974 FIFA World Cup]], including the winning goal in the [[1974 FIFA World Cup Final|final]].

Müller held the [[FIFA World Cup top goalscorers|all-time goal-scoring record in the World Cup]] with 14 goals for 32 years.<ref name="Ronaldo"/> In 1999, Müller was ranked ninth in the European Player of the Century election held by the [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics]] (IFFHS), and he was voted 13th in the IFFHS' [[FIFA Player of the Century#Vote specialists (IFFHS)|World Player of the Century]] election.<ref name="IFFHS Century Elections">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html|title=IFFHS Century Elections|access-date=21 June 2014|date=30 January 2000|first=Karel|last=Stokkermans|archive-date=23 September 2018|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923101613/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2004, [[Pelé]] named Müller in the [[FIFA 100]] list of the world's greatest living players.<ref name="FIFA Muller"/>

==Club career==
===Bayern Munich===
Born 3 November 1945, in [[Nördlingen]], Germany, Müller began his football career at his hometown club [[TSV 1861 Nördlingen]] youth ranks in 1958. Aged 18, Müller joined [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] in 1964, where he teamed up with future stars [[Franz Beckenbauer]] and [[Sepp Maier]]. The club, which would go on to become the most successful German club in history, was then still in the [[Regionalliga Süd (1963–1974)|Regionalliga Süd]] ''(Regional League South)'', which was one level below the [[Bundesliga]] at the time.

[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F025342-0009, Bonn, Landesvertretung Bayern, Fußballmanschaft.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|Müller autographing a football in 1967. To his left are [[Franz Beckenbauer]] and [[Werner Olk]]]]
After one season, Bayern Munich advanced to the Bundesliga and started a long string of successes. With his club, Müller amassed titles during the 1960s and 1970s: he won the German Championship four times, the [[DFB-Pokal]] four times, the [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]] three consecutive years (the first West German team to win it; Müller scored in the [[1974 European Cup final|1974 final]] replay and the [[1975 European Cup final|1975 final]]), the [[European/South American Cup|Intercontinental Cup]] once, and the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]] once.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=15 August 2021|title=Gerd Müller ist tot|url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/gerd-mueller-tot-bayern-1.5157907|access-date=15 August 2021|website=[[Süddeutsche.de]]|language=de|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815113710/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/gerd-mueller-tot-bayern-1.5157907|url-status=live}}</ref>

An opportunistic goal-scorer, Müller also became German top scorer seven times and European top scorer twice. Müller scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga matches for Bayern Munich, 53 goals over the second-most successful Bundesliga scorer, [[Robert Lewandowski]], since 2022.<ref name=":1" />

====Club goal records====
At his peak, Müller held the single-season Bundesliga record with 40 goals in [[1971–72 Bundesliga|season 1971–72]], a record that would be held until Lewandowski scored 41 goals during the [[2020–21 Bundesliga|2020–21 season]], also for Bayern Munich.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lewandowski-makes-bundesliga-history-with-goal-41-in-bayern/gw7c0ikywvel1arinwhcup05s | title = Lewandowski makes Bundesliga history with goal 41 in Bayern Munich's title-winning campaign | website = goal.com | date = 22 May 2021 | access-date = 22 May 2021 | archive-date = 30 May 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210530222256/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lewandowski-makes-bundesliga-history-with-goal-41-in-bayern/gw7c0ikywvel1arinwhcup05s | url-status = live }}</ref> Then, Müller also held the record for most club goals scored in all European club competitions in one season for 40 years, [[Scoring in association football|scoring]] 67 goals during the [[1972–73 FC Bayern Munich season]], and 85 (72 for Munich, 13 West Germany) goals in total during 1972. However, that record was surpassed by [[Lionel Messi]] of [[FC Barcelona]] in Spain who scored 73 in the [[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|2011/12]] season, and 91 goals in the calendar year of 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/1228330/hesse:-looking-for-gerd-muller-goals?cc=5901 | title = Looking for Goals | author = [[Ulrich Hesse-Lichtenberger|Uli Hesse]] | date = 17 November 2012 | publisher = [[ESPN]] | access-date = 28 November 2012 | archive-date = 21 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121121013455/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/1228330/hesse:-looking-for-gerd-muller-goals?cc=5901 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20661031 | title = Lionel Messi of Barcelona sets new goal-scoring record | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 10 December 2012 | access-date = 10 December 2012 | archive-date = 10 December 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121210062927/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20661031 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2012 |title=Lionel Messi Breaks Gerd Muller's 39-Year-Old Record with 68th Goal This Season |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1169837-lionel-messi-breaks-gerd-mullers-39-year-old-record-with-68th-goal-this-season#:~:text=With%20his%2068th%20goal%20in%20all%20competitions%20this,set%20in%20the%201972-73%20campaign%20with%20Bayern%20Munich |access-date=27 September 2024 |website= bleacherreport.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Fort Lauderdale Strikers===
After his career in the Bundesliga, Müller went to the [[United States]], where he joined the [[Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983)|Fort Lauderdale Strikers]] (based in the [[Miami metropolitan area|Miami area]]) of the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]] (NASL) in 1979.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Gerd Müller: One of the greatest goalscorers of all time|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/gerd-muller-s-story-a-goalscoring-great-bayern-munich-germany-13441|access-date=15 August 2021|website=bundesliga.com|language=en|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815115652/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/gerd-muller-s-story-a-goalscoring-great-bayern-munich-germany-13441|url-status=live}}</ref> He played three seasons with this team, scoring 38 goals,<ref name=":2" /> and reaching, but losing, the league final in 1980.<ref name="Zeitung 2017">{{cite web | title=Deutsche Stars in Nordamerika: Beckenbauer, Müller, Matthäus: Schweinsteigers Vorgänger | website=[[Westdeutsche Zeitung]] | date=21 March 2017 | url=https://www.wz.de/sport/fussball/international/beckenbauer-mueller-matthaeus-schweinsteigers-vorgaenger_aid-27196447 | language=de | access-date=15 August 2021 | archive-date=15 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815183049/https://www.wz.de/sport/fussball/international/beckenbauer-mueller-matthaeus-schweinsteigers-vorgaenger_aid-27196447 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==International career==
[[File:Finale wereldkampioenschap voetbal 1974 in Munchen, West Duitsland tegen Nederla, Bestanddeelnr 927-3080.jpg|thumb|upright=0.68|Müller (right) celebrating after winning the [[1974 FIFA World Cup]]. To his left is [[Wolfgang Overath]].]]
Müller scored [[List of international goals scored by Gerd Müller|68 goals]] in 62 games for [[Germany national football team|West Germany]].<ref name=":1" /> He was Germany's all-time leading scorer for almost 40 years until surpassed by [[Miroslav Klose]] in 2014, though Klose required over double the number of caps to do so, scoring his 69th goal in his 132nd appearance.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008584/index.html | title = World Cup in sight as Germany see off Austria | website = [[UEFA]] | date = 6 September 2013 | access-date = 2 November 2016 | archive-date = 13 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180613082012/https://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season%3D2014/matches/round%3D2000294/match%3D2008584/index.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> Müller's international career started in 1966 and ended on 7 July 1974 with victory at the [[1974 FIFA World Cup]] at his [[Olympic Stadium (Munich)|home stadium]] in Munich.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=790697&cc=5739&ver=global|title=Gerd Muller: Der Bomber|first=Mark|last=Lomas|date=28 May 2010|access-date=13 September 2011|work=ESPN Soccernet|publisher=ESPN|archive-date=15 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715094411/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=790697&cc=5739&ver=global|url-status=dead}}</ref> He scored the winning goal for the 2–1 victory over [[Johan Cruyff]]'s [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] in [[1974 FIFA World Cup Final|the final]]. His four goals in that tournament and his ten goals at the [[1970 FIFA World Cup]] combined made him the all-time highest [[FIFA World Cup]] goalscorer at the time with 14 goals. His record stood until the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] tournament, coincidentally held in Germany, when it was broken by Brazilian striker [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]], who also required more matches than Müller to achieve his tally.<ref name="Ronaldo">{{cite news |title=World Cup Rewind: Ronaldo sets all-time goals world record |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2018/6/world-cup-rewind-ronaldo-sets-all-time-goals-world-record-328632 |access-date=13 September 2018 |work=Guinness World Records |archive-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919000051/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2018/6/world-cup-rewind-ronaldo-sets-all-time-goals-world-record-328632 |url-status=live }}</ref> Müller also participated in the [[UEFA Euro 1972|1972 European Championship]], becoming top scorer with four goals (including two in [[UEFA Euro 1972 Final|the final]]) and winning the Championship with the West German team.<ref name=":1" />

Müller quit playing for West Germany after the 1974 FIFA World Cup triumph following an argument with the [[German Football Association]] (DFB) at the post-tournament celebration, when officials' wives were allowed to attend but players' wives were not.

==Life after football==
[[File:BOMBERGERDMUELLER.JPG|thumb|left|upright=0.68|Müller in 2006]]
After Müller ended his career in 1981, he fell into a slump and suffered from [[alcoholism]]. However, his former companions at Bayern Munich convinced him to go through [[Drug rehabilitation|alcohol rehabilitation]]. When he emerged, they gave him a job as a coach at [[FC Bayern Munich II|Bayern Munich II]].

He held the position from 1992 until he retired in 2014 due to health problems. There is also a collection of apparel released by sporting giants [[Adidas]] under the Gerd Müller name. It is part of the Adidas originals series. In July 2008, the Rieser Sportpark, in Nördlingen, where Müller had begun his career, was renamed the Gerd-Müller-Stadion in his honour.<ref name="Milde 2019">{{cite web | last=Milde | first=Robert | title=Lust und Frust mit der Heimatstadt | website=Augsburger Allgemeine | date=30 October 2019 | url=https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/noerdlingen/sport/Gerd-Mueller-Lust-und-Frust-mit-der-Heimatstadt-id35971952.html | language=de | access-date=15 August 2021 | archive-date=15 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815134010/https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/noerdlingen/sport/Gerd-Mueller-Lust-und-Frust-mit-der-Heimatstadt-id35971952.html | url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref name="Abendzeitung 2008">{{cite web | title=Ein schönes Stadion hast du, Gerd | website=Abendzeitung München | date=20 July 2008 | url=https://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/sport/fcbayern/ein-schoenes-stadion-hast-du-gerd-art-79085 | language=de | access-date=15 August 2021 | archive-date=15 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815134243/https://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/sport/fcbayern/ein-schoenes-stadion-hast-du-gerd-art-79085 | url-status=live }}</ref>

On 6 October 2015, it was announced that Müller was suffering from [[Alzheimer's disease]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Gerd Muller, Bayern Munich Legend, Diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2576481-gerd-muller-bayern-munich-legend-diagnosed-with-alzheimers-disease|access-date=6 October 2015|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|date=6 October 2015|archive-date=7 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007210954/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2576481-gerd-muller-bayern-munich-legend-diagnosed-with-alzheimers-disease|url-status=live}}</ref> He died on 15 August 2021 in a nursing home in [[Wolfratshausen]], aged 75.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hz.de/sport/sport-ueberregional/zum-tod-von-gerd-mueller-er-traf-und-traf-und-traf-58853621.html |title=Er traf und traf und traf |website=hz.de |language=de |date=16 August 2021 |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322220512/https://www.hz.de/sport/sport-ueberregional/zum-tod-von-gerd-mueller-er-traf-und-traf-und-traf-58853621.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=15 August 2021|title='The greatest striker': Gerd Müller, legendary German forward, dies aged 75|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/15/gerd-muller-germany-bayern-munich-dies-aged-75|access-date=16 August 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=19 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819115116/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/15/gerd-muller-germany-bayern-munich-dies-aged-75|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Player profile==
===Style of play===
[[File:Afscheidswedstrijd Johan Cruijff , Ajax tegen Bayern Munchen 0-8 Cruijff met Ge, Bestanddeelnr 929-9830.jpg|thumb|Müller, [[Ruud Krol]] and [[Johan Cruyff]] in 1978]]
In his book, ''[[Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football]]'', author [[David Winner (author)|David Winner]] writes, "Müller was short, squat, awkward-looking and not notably fast; he never fitted the conventional idea of a great footballer, but he had lethal acceleration over short distances, a remarkable aerial game, and uncanny goalscoring instincts. His short legs gave him a low center of gravity, so he could turn quickly and with perfect balance in spaces and at speeds that would cause other players to fall over. He also had a knack of scoring in unlikely situations."<ref name="Schaaf 2012">{{cite web | last=Schaaf | first=Susie | title=The Reason | website=ESPN.com | date=10 December 2012 | url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/name/93/post/1848917/headline | access-date=15 August 2021 | archive-date=15 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815134526/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/name/93/post/1848917/headline | url-status=live }}</ref>

Müller used extreme acceleration, agility, and deceptive changes of pace to get to loose balls first, and bypass defenders.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hallofchampions.com/PlayersBios.htm | title = PlayersBios | publisher = hallofchampions.com | access-date = 2 October 2013 | archive-date = 4 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110704080628/http://www.hallofchampions.com/PlayersBios.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Der Bomber turns 75">{{cite web |url=https://inside.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/1970mexico/news/der-bomber-turns-75 |title=Der Bomber turns 75 |publisher=FIFA.com |date=3 November 2020 |access-date=24 June 2024 }}</ref> His teammate [[Franz Beckenbauer]] has emphasized Müller's unusual speed: "His pace was incredible. In training I have played against him and I never had a chance."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://de.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/memories/newsid=1782304.html |title=Beckenbauer schwelgt in Erinnerungen |trans-title=Beckenbauer revels in memories |work=[[UEFA]] |access-date=20 February 2020 |quote=...seine Schnelligkeit war unglaublich. Im Training habe ich gegen ihn gespielt und ich hatte nie eine Chance. Wir kannten seine Bewegungsabläufe, konnten ihn aber trotzdem nicht stoppen – so schnell war er. |archive-date=4 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604153702/http://de.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/memories/newsid=1782304.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A prolific goalscorer, Müller was also known for his movement, coordination, intelligence, and clinical finishing inside the penalty area.<ref name="Der Bomber turns 75"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/organisation/news/a-tribute-to-gerd-muller |title=A tribute to Gerd Muller |publisher=FIFA.com |date=15 August 2021 |access-date=24 June 2024 }}</ref><ref name="30 greatest strikers">{{cite web |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/greatest-strikers-of-all-time-ranked |title=The 30 greatest strikers of all time |publisher=90min.com |date=25 May 2021 |access-date=24 June 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/faq/all-you-need-to-know-about-soccer/from-gerd-muller-to-robert-lewandowski-the-best-bundesliga-strikers-of-all-time-10563 |title=From Gerd Müller to Robert Lewandowski: the best Bundesliga strikers of all time |publisher=bundesliga.com |language=en |access-date=24 June 2024 }}</ref> He had the ability to score goals from awkward positions with almost any part of his body, not only with his head or either foot.<ref name="Der Bomber turns 75"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/gerd-mueller-bayern-munich-greatest-striker-ever/a-58871348 |title=Gerd Müller: 'The greatest striker there has ever been' – DW – 08/16/2021 |publisher=dw.com |last1=Ford |first1=Matt |language=en |date=16 August 2021 |access-date=24 June 2024 }}</ref>

===Legacy===
Müller is widely considered to be one of the greatest strikers and goalscorers in the history of football. He is seen as the  greatest "[[Association football positions#Goal poacher|goal poacher]]" in history,<ref name="30 greatest strikers"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sahu |first=Amogha |date=11 August 2011 |title=World Football Power Rankings: Ranking the 3 Best Poachers of All Time |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/758702-world-football-power-rankingsranking-the-3-best-poachers-of-all-time |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 August 2021 |title=GERD MULLER - THE GAME'S GREATEST POACHER AND THE BUILDER OF BAYERN |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/gerd-muller-the-game-s-greatest-poacher-and-the-builder-of-bayern_sto8491951/story.shtml |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=www.eurosport.com}}</ref> with [[Gary Lineker]] calling him "the ultimate goal poacher".<ref>{{cite tweet|user=GaryLineker|number=1426961094027927560|title=The ultimate goal poacher}} {{user-generated source|date=March 2024}}</ref> He is one of only two players, alongside [[Lionel Messi]], to have won the [[FIFA World Cup]], the [[UEFA Champions League]], the [[Ballon d'Or]] and the [[European Golden Shoe]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=BarcaWorldwide|number=1607335688000929792|title=nly two (2) Players have won the World Cup, Champions League, Ballon d'Or and Golden Boot}} {{user-generated source|date=March 2024}}</ref> After his death in 2021, [[FC Bayern Munich]] president [[Herbert Hainer]] declared that Müller was "the greatest striker there's ever been", while [[Franz Beckenbauer]] stated that Müller was "the most important player in the history of Bayern Munich".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Matt |date=16 August 2021 |title=Gerd Müller: 'The greatest striker there has ever been'|url=https://www.dw.com/en/gerd-mueller-bayern-munich-greatest-striker-ever/a-58871348 |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/pgmuellerdata.html | title = Prolific Scorers Data - Gerd Müller - Additional Data | date = 21 January 2016 | access-date = 11 April 2020 | first = Vladimir | last = Kolos | archive-date = 11 July 2022 | website = [[RSSSF]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220711182254/https://www.rsssf.org/players/pgmuellerdata.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/players/gmueller-in-ec.html Gerd Müller – Goals in European Cups] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208144949/https://rsssf.org/players/gmueller-in-ec.html |date=8 February 2023 }} RSSSF</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://fcbayern.com/us/news/2020/11/gerd-muellers-career-in-numbers|title=Gerd Müller's career in numbers|date=3 November 2020|publisher=FC Bayern Munich|access-date=16 August 2021|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816195956/https://fcbayern.com/us/news/2020/11/gerd-muellers-career-in-numbers|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63143--bayern-vs-ajax/|title=Bayern-Ajax 1972 History|website=[[UEFA]]|access-date=24 December 2020|archive-date=25 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325040525/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63143--bayern-vs-ajax/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|[[DFB-Pokal]]
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[TSV 1861 Nördlingen]]
|1962–63
|[[Bezirksliga Schwaben-Nord]]
|3||4||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||4
|-
|1963–64
|Bezirksliga Schwaben-Nord
|28||47||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||28||47
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!31!!51!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!31!!51
|-
|rowspan="16"|[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]
|[[1964–65 Regionalliga#South|1964–65]]
|[[Regionalliga Süd (1963–1974)|Regionalliga Süd]]
|26||33||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||8{{efn|Six appearances in [[1964–65 Regionalliga#Bundesliga promotion round|Bundesliga promotion play-offs]] with 6 goals and two appearances in the [[:de:Süddeutscher Pokal|South German Cup]] with 2 goals.<ref>{{cite book |last=Grüber |first=Walter |title=FC Bayern München. 6389 Spiele: Saison 1900 - Saison 2015/16 |url={{GBurl|gtKNDAAAQBAJ|p=250}} |page=250| language=de | date=2016}}</ref>}}||8||34||41
|-
|[[1965–66 FC Bayern Munich season|1965–66]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|33||14||6||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||39||15
|-
|[[1966–67 FC Bayern Munich season|1966–67]]
|Bundesliga
|32||28||4||7||9{{efn|name=CWC|Appearances in [[European Cup Winners' Cup]]}}||8||colspan="2"|—||45||43
|-
|[[1967–68 FC Bayern Munich season|1967–68]]
|Bundesliga
|34||20||4||4||8{{efn|name=CWC}}||7||colspan="2"|—||46||31
|-
|[[1968–69 FC Bayern Munich season|1968–69]]
|Bundesliga
|30||30||5||7||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||35||37
|-
|[[1969–70 FC Bayern Munich season|1969–70]]
|Bundesliga
|33||38||3||4||2{{efn|name=EC|Appearances in [[European Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||38||42
|-
|[[1970–71 FC Bayern Munich season|1970–71]]
|Bundesliga
|32||22||7||10||8{{efn|name=ICFC|Appearances in [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]]}}||7||colspan="2"|—||47||39
|-
|[[1971–72 FC Bayern Munich season|1971–72]]
|Bundesliga
|34||40||6||5||8{{efn|name=CWC}}||5||colspan="2"|—||48||50
|-
|[[1972–73 FC Bayern Munich season|1972–73]]
|Bundesliga
|33||36||5||7||6{{efn|name=EC}}||11||5{{efn|Appearances in [[DFB-Ligapokal]]}}||12||49||66
|-
|[[1973–74 FC Bayern Munich season|1973–74]]
|Bundesliga
|34||30||4||5||10{{efn|name=EC}}||8||colspan="2"|—||48||43
|-
|[[1974–75 FC Bayern Munich season|1974–75]]
|Bundesliga
|33||23||3||2||7{{efn|name=EC}}||5||colspan="2"|—||43||30
|-
|[[1975–76 FC Bayern Munich season|1975–76]]
|Bundesliga
|22||23||6||7||6{{efn|name=EC}}||5||1{{efn|Appearance in the [[1975 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]]}}||0||35||35
|-
|[[1976–77 FC Bayern Munich season|1976–77]]
|Bundesliga
|25||28||4||11||4{{efn|name=EC}}||5||4{{efn|Two appearances and three goals in [[UEFA Super Cup]], two appearances and 1 goal in [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]}}||4||37||48
|-
|[[1977–78 FC Bayern Munich season|1977–78]]
|Bundesliga
|33||24||3||4||6{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||4||colspan="2"|—||42||32
|-
|[[1978–79 FC Bayern Munich season|1978–79]]
|Bundesliga
|19||9||2||4||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||21||13
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!453!!398!!62!!78!!74!!65!!18!!24!!607!!565
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983)|Fort Lauderdale Strikers]]
|[[1979 Fort Lauderdale Strikers season|1979]]
|[[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|NASL]]
|25||19||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=NASL-PO|Appearances in [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|NASL]] play-offs}}||0||27||19
|-
|[[1980 Fort Lauderdale Strikers season|1980]]
|NASL
|29||14||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=NASL-PO}}||2||36||16
|-
|[[1981 Fort Lauderdale Strikers season|1981]]
|NASL
|17||5||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!71!!38!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!9!!2!!80!!40
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!555||487!!62!!78!!74!!65!!27!!26!!718!!656
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT player|16685|name=Gerd Müller|accessdate=24 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/mueller-intlg.html |title=Gerhard "Gerd" Müller – Goals in International Matches |date=25 March 2005 |access-date=24 October 2011 |archive-date=1 October 2018 |website=[[RSSSF]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001104938/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/mueller-intlg.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="15"|[[Germany national football team|West Germany]]
|align="left"|Friendlies – 1966||1||0
|-
|align="left"|Friendlies – 1967||1||1
|-
|align="left"|[[UEFA Euro 1968 qualifying|UEFA Euro 1968 qual.]]||3||6
|-
|align="left"|Friendlies – 1968||1||0
|-
|align="left"|[[1970 FIFA World Cup qualification|1970 FIFA World Cup qual.]]||6||9
|-
|align="left"|Friendlies – 1969||3||2
|-
|align="left"|Friendlies – 1970||5||2
|-
|align="left"|[[1970 FIFA World Cup]]||6||10
|-
|align="left"|Friendlies – 1971||4||7
|-
|align="left"|[[UEFA Euro 1972 qualifying|UEFA Euro 1972 qual.]]||7||6
|-
|align="left"|Friendlies – 1972||3||8
|-
|align="left"|[[UEFA Euro 1972]]||2||4
|-
|align="left"|Friendlies – 1973||8||7
|-
|align="left"|Friendlies – 1974||5||2
|-
|align="left"|[[1974 FIFA World Cup]]||7||4
|-
!colspan="2"|Total||62||68
|}

{{further|List of international goals scored by Gerd Müller}}
Müller scored 68 goals in 62 games for West Germany. His 14 goals in FIFA World Cup tournaments were a record between 1974 and 2006. This score was bettered in 2006 by Brazil's Ronaldo, and eight years later by German Miroslav Klose, who also broke Müller's record for goals for Germany.<ref name="rsssf-internationalgoals">{{cite web | url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/mueller-intlg.html | title=Gerhard "Gerd" Müller – Goals in International Matches | publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation | work=[[RSSSF]] | access-date=6 July 2015 | archive-date=1 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001104938/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/mueller-intlg.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="goal-record">{{cite web | url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/67/world-cup-2014/2014/07/08/4945539/klose-breaks-world-cup-goal-record | title=Klose breaks World Cup goal record | work=Goal.com | date=8 July 2014 | access-date=6 July 2015 | archive-date=10 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110162354/https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/67/world-cup-2014/2014/07/08/4945539/klose-breaks-world-cup-goal-record | url-status=live }}</ref> However, Müller managed to score eight hat-tricks in his international career.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=14561 |title=Gerd Müller |website=eu-football.info |access-date=12 November 2020 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408143107/https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=14561 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Honours==
'''Bayern Munich'''<ref name="FIFA Muller" /><ref name="fussballdaten.de">{{cite web | url = http://www.fussballdaten.de/spieler/muellergerhard/1979/ | title = Gerd Müller | language = de | publisher = fussballdaten.de | access-date = 6 September 2014 | archive-date = 15 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121115081909/http://www.fussballdaten.de/spieler/muellergerhard/1979/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.fussballdaten.de/regionalliga/sued/1965/ | title = Der 38. Spieltag der Regionalliga Süd 1964/1965 | language = de | publisher = fussballdaten.de | access-date = 6 September 2014 | archive-date = 5 November 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141105082627/http://www.fussballdaten.de/regionalliga/sued/1965/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
* [[Regionalliga Süd (1963–1974)|Regionalliga Süd]]: [[Regionalliga Süd (1963–1974)|1964–65]]
* [[Bundesliga]]: [[1968–69 Bundesliga|1968–69]], [[1971–72 Bundesliga|1971–72]], [[1972–73 Bundesliga|1972–73]], [[1973–74 Bundesliga|1973–74]]
* [[DFB-Pokal]]: [[1965–66 DFB-Pokal|1965–66]], [[1966–67 DFB-Pokal|1966–67]], [[1968–69 DFB-Pokal|1968–69]], [[1970–71 DFB-Pokal|1970–71]]
* [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]]: [[1973–74 European Cup|1973–74]], [[1974–75 European Cup|1974–75]], [[1975–76 European Cup|1975–76]]
* [[European Cup Winners' Cup]]: [[1966–67 European Cup Winners' Cup|1966–67]]
* [[European/South American Cup|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[1976 Intercontinental Cup|1976]]

'''West Germany'''<ref name="FIFA Muller" /><ref name="fussballdaten.de" />
* [[FIFA World Cup]]: [[1974 FIFA World Cup|1974]]
* [[UEFA European Championship]]: [[UEFA Euro 1972|1972]]

'''Individual'''
* [[Ballon d'Or]]: [[1970 Ballon d'Or|1970]];<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy.html | title = European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") | access-date = 6 September 2014 | first1 = Rob | last1 = Moore | first2 = Karel | last2 = Stokkermans | archive-date = 19 May 2019 | website = [[RSSSF]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190519023746/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/europa-poy.html | url-status = live }}</ref> runner-up: [[1972 Ballon d'Or|1972]];{{efn|Shared with [[Günter Netzer]]}} third place: [[1969 Ballon d'Or|1969]], [[1973 Ballon d'Or|1973]]
* [[Footballer of the Year (Germany)]]: 1967, 1969<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/fussballer_des_jahres_seit_1960_die_siegerliste-540838/artikel | title = Fußballer des Jahres seit 1960: Die Siegerliste | language = de | publisher = [[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] | access-date = 6 September 2014 | archive-date = 17 July 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180717154212/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/540838/artikel_fussballer-des-jahres-seit-1960_die-siegerliste.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
* Voted best Player 40 Years Bundesliga 1963–2003<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/jahre-bundesliga-ich-koennte-heulen-1.717476 | title = "Ich könnte heulen" | trans-title = I could cry | language = de | publisher = Sueddeutsche.de | date = 11 May 2010 | access-date = 6 September 2014 | first = Ulrich | last = Hartmann | archive-date = 24 September 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191149/http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/jahre-bundesliga-ich-koennte-heulen-1.717476 | url-status = live }}</ref>
* ''[[Kicker (sports magazine)|kicker]]'' [[Bundesliga]] Team of the Season: 1968–69, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1972–73<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/196869/startseite.html|title=Bundesliga Historie 1968/69|language=de|publisher=kicker|access-date=11 December 2018|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214070307/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/196869/startseite.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/196970/startseite.html|title=Bundesliga Historie 1969/70|language=de|publisher=kicker|access-date=11 December 2018|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214070442/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/196970/startseite.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/197172/startseite.html|title=Bundesliga Historie 1971/72|language=de|publisher=kicker|access-date=11 December 2018|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214070620/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/197172/startseite.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/197273/startseite.html|title=Bundesliga Historie 1972/73|language=de|publisher=kicker|access-date=11 December 2018|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214070727/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/197273/startseite.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[World Soccer (magazine)|Eric Batty's World XI]]: 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCracken |first=Craig |date=29 April 2013 |title=Eric Batty's World XI – The Sixties |url=https://beyondthelastman.com/2013/04/29/eric-battys-world-xis-the-sixties/ |access-date=19 June 2022 |website=Beyond The Last Man |language=en |archive-date=16 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116024135/https://beyondthelastman.com/2013/04/29/eric-battys-world-xis-the-sixties/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCracken |first=Craig |date=7 November 2013 |title=Eric Batty's World XI – The Seventies |url=https://beyondthelastman.com/2013/11/07/eric-battys-world-xis-the-seventies/ |access-date=19 June 2022 |website=Beyond The Last Man |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705040250/https://beyondthelastman.com/2013/11/07/eric-battys-world-xis-the-seventies/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*''FUWO European Team of the Season'': 1970,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc-supporters.org/fuwo/files/FUWO%201971/FUWO%201971%2002.pdf |website=FCC-Wiki|title=FUWO 1971|access-date=23 April 2024 }}</ref> 1972<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc-supporters.org/fuwo/files/FUWO%201973/FUWO%201973%2002.pdf |website=FCC-Wiki|title=FUWO 1973|access-date=23 April 2024 }}</ref>
*''Sport Ideal European XI'': 1971,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1972/01/01/pagina-9/975653/pdf.html |website=Mundo Deportivo|title=Sport 1971|access-date=4 June 2024 }}</ref> 1972,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1972/12/31/pagina-15/972425/pdf.html |website=Mundo Deportivo|title=Sport 1972|access-date=4 June 2024 }}</ref> 1973,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1974/01/03/pagina-9/995405/pdf.html |website=Mundo Deportivo|title=Sport 1973|access-date=4 June 2024 }}</ref> 1974<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1975/01/01/pagina-30/1005843/pdf.html |website=Mundo Deportivo|title=Sport 1974|access-date=4 June 2024 }}</ref>
* [[List of Bundesliga top scorers by season|Bundesliga Top Scorer (Kicker-Torjägerkanone)]]: 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978<ref name="FIFA Muller" />
* [[European Golden Shoe]]: 1969–70, 1971–72<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eusm.eu/item/goldenshoe_winners.htm | title = Topscorer 2012/2013: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) | publisher = eusm.eu | access-date = 6 September 2014 | archive-date = 4 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190904215705/http://www.eusm.eu/item/goldenshoe_winners.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Golden Boot ("Soulier d'Or") Awards |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gboot.html |access-date=19 June 2022 |website=[[RSSSF]] |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601072653/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gboot.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Boot|FIFA World Cup Golden Boot]]: 1970<ref name="FIFA Muller" />
<!--* [[FIFA World Cup awards#Bronze Ball|FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball]]: 1970{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}-->
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#All-Star Team|FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]: [[1970 FIFA World Cup|1970]]<ref name="Football world Cup All Star Team">{{cite web | title=FIFA World Cup All-Star Team | website=Football world Cup All Star Team | url=http://football.sporting99.com/fifa-world-cup-all-star-team.html | access-date=15 August 2021 | archive-date=30 June 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630203237/http://football.sporting99.com/fifa-world-cup-all-star-team.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[FIFA]] Selects World XI: 1971, 1972, 1973<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 August 2011 |title=FIFA.com - FIFA Classic Player |url=http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174790/index.html |access-date=19 June 2022 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829032644/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174790/index.html |archive-date=29 August 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Worldwide Topscorer: 1970, 1972<ref>{{Cite web |title=World League Topscorers |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/worldtops.html |access-date=19 June 2022 |website=[[RSSSF]] |archive-date=21 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721204539/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/worldtops.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* UEFA European Championship Top Scorer: [[UEFA Euro 1972|1972]]<ref name="FIFA Muller" />
* [[UEFA European Championship Teams of the Tournament|UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament]]: [[UEFA Euro 1972#Awards|1972]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/news/0253-0d7bd0da58f2-d557c23f55fa-1000--euro-1972-team-of-the-tournament/ | title = 1972 team of the tournament | publisher = [[UEFA]] | date = 2 May 2011 | access-date = 6 September 2014 | archive-date = 30 June 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160630202927/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid%3D1621340.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
* [[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League top scorers|European Cup Top Scorer]]: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977<ref>{{cite web | url = http://futbal.org/EC1.scorers.php | title = Top Scorers | publisher = futbal.org | access-date = 6 September 2014 | archive-date = 16 June 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120616002021/http://futbal.org/EC1.scorers.php | url-status = live }}</ref>
* [[Onze d'Or|Onze de Onze]]: 1976<ref>{{Cite web |title="Onze Mondial" Awards |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |access-date=19 June 2022 |website=[[RSSSF]] |archive-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924125510/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
<!--* [[List of DFB-Pokal top scorers|DFB-Pokal Top Scorer]]: 1967, 1969, 1971{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}-->
<!--* [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]] (NASL) All-Star: 1979 {{citation needed|date=August 2021}}-->
* [[FIFA Order of Merit]]: 1998<ref>{{cite web|title=FIFA Order of Merit|url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/r&a-awards/01/20/85/43/170490-factsheet-fifaorderofmerit%281984-2010%29_neutral.pdf|access-date=21 January 2015|archive-date=24 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324065359/https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/r%26a-awards/01/20/85/43/170490-factsheet-fifaorderofmerit%281984-2010%29_neutral.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[France Football]]'s Football Player of the Century: 10th (1999)<ref name="rsssf.org">{{cite web|title=The Best x Players of the Century/All-Time|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/best-x-players-of-y.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=31 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231035356/https://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/best-x-players-of-y.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[World Soccer (magazine)#Greatest Players of the 20th century|World Soccer The Greatest Players of the 20th century]]: 15th (1999)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/greatest-all-time/soccer-worldsoccer100.htm|title=World Soccer 100 Players of the Century|website=topendsports.com|access-date=10 April 2015|archive-date=16 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416030000/http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/greatest-all-time/soccer-worldsoccer100.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[FIFA 100]]: 2004<ref name="FIFA Muller" />
* [[Golden Foot]]: 2007, as [[Golden Foot#Award legends|football legend]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenfoot.com/legends.php?l=en |title=Legends |publisher=Golden Foot |access-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925120930/http://www.goldenfoot.com/legends.php?l=en |archive-date=25 September 2015 }}</ref>
* [[Bravo Otto]]: Gold award: 1973, 1974; Silver award: 1975; Bronze award: 1972, 1976<ref name="Biermann Köster 2013 p. 139">{{cite book | last1=Biermann | first1=C. | last2=Köster | first2=P. | title=Fast alles über 50 Jahre Bundesliga | publisher=Kiepenheuer & Witsch eBook | year=2013 | isbn=978-3-462-30643-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DfxlAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT139 | language=de | access-date=15 August 2021 | page=139 | archive-date=1 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801114305/https://books.google.com/books?id=DfxlAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT139 | url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[IFFHS]] Legends<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|title=IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players|publisher=IFFHS|date=25 January 2016|access-date=14 September 2016|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924082150/https://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Bayern Munich All-time XI<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcbayern.de/en/news/news/2005/04283.php|title=Fans name greatest reds of all time|date=1 June 2005|work=FC Bayern München|access-date=6 December 2018|archive-date=3 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103224332/http://www.fcbayern.de/en/news/news/2005/04283.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics#All-time Men's Dream Team (2021)|IFFHS All-time Men's B Dream Team]]: 2021<ref name="IFFHS Dream Team">{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1110 |title=IFFHS ALL TIME WORLD MEN'S DREAM TEAM |work=IFFHS |date=22 May 2021 |access-date=2 October 2021 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213838/https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1110 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]] All-time Europe Men's Dream Team: 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1121|publisher=IFFHS|date=29 May 2021|access-date=31 May 2021|title=IFFHS|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603054252/https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1121|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of footballers with 500 or more goals|List of men's footballers with 500 or more goals]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://www.fifa.com/news/der-bomber-turns-75 Gerd Müller – Player profile] at FIFA.com
* {{Fussballdaten|muellergerhard|Gerd Müller}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071016044146/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174790/bio.html Portrait of Gerd Müller] at FIFA.com
* [https://www.rsssf.org/players/prolific.html Statistics on Müller's matches and goals] at [[RSSSF]]

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Just Fontaine]]<br />13}}
{{s-ttl|title=FIFA World Cup top goalscorer | years=7 July 1974 – 27 June 2006}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]]<br />15}}
{{s-end}}

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{{1970 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}
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{{1971 World Soccer World XI}}
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{{1968–69 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
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{{UEFA Champions League top scorers}}
{{Bundesliga top scorers}}
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{{IFFHS All-time Men's European Dream Team}}
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{{West Germany squad 1970 FIFA World Cup}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Muller, Gerd}}
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