February 2025 BAYERN GAME
MIA SAN MIA IS AN INNATE BAVARIAN
CONCEPT, AND THE CORNERSTONE OF FC BAYERN
Thomas Müller
You’ re both native Bavarians, born in Munich and the surrounding area respectively, and have been at the club since you were boys. You both stand for FC Bayern. Thomas, what do you think when you look at Aleks‘ path? Do you see parallels between you, will he also shape the club one day? TM: Of course, on paper there are one or two parallels between us in terms of how we came to FC Bayern. Aleks‘ path is mapped out, he has everything it takes. But it always depends on what he makes of his opportunities. He must never rest on his laurels, but he doesn‘ t do that anyway. FC Bayern has always been at its strongest when players who have grown up at the club have led the way. Aleks can become an important factor in the next generation, definitely. Aleks, Thomas became the record appearance holder here. The club even had a statue created in his honour … AP: Thomas is simply unique, already an absolute club legend, a huge identification figure for every fan and also for me as a player. I‘ ve always looked up to him. To be on the pitch with him now is incredible. I‘ m very grateful for that. He‘ s a great role model. My goal is to become a legend here too. Breaking records is always an incentive. But over 700 games … That‘ s incredible. Thomas will always be part of FC Bayern. How do you view 125 years of FC Bayern? TM: You sometimes catch yourself feeling a certain sense of awe. When you look around here or at other clubs in Germany that certainly had good prerequisites, but didn‘ t follow this path so consistently, FC Bayern must have always had a lot going for it. That‘ s obvious. AP: The fact that FC Bayern has such a long tradition, that it has mastered so many ups and downs, that it enjoys the status it has today and is known globally is fascinating. You always have to remind yourself of what has been built up here, what this club stands for today. FC Bayern means everything to me. I‘ ve been playing here since the age of eight, so I‘ ve spent my whole life at this club. It‘ s a great feeling to be playing professional football for FC Bayern now. What makes the club so special? TM: Where do you start? Where do you end? I do think there’ s a very special identity in the club. It certainly won‘ t have been so firmly established around 1900, but so-
Masters of the ball, regardless of the time and century.
FC Bayern Magazine 47