Welcoming Thomas Müller to Vancouver
This morning, after a welcome at YVR Airport last night from the Musqueam Nation, and supporters, superstar German attacking midfielder Thomas Müller attended his first press conference in Vancouver. One of the sport’s most decorated players of all-time is hitting the ground running with a whirlwind schedule ahead of a potential debut on Sunday at BC Place.
Welcome to Vancouver | Müller 101 | Looking Ahead | More Than Buzz
Welcoming Thomas Müller to Vancouver
Squamish Nation councillor and spokesperson Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams led the welcome this morning, and members of the Nation gifted Müller an eagle feather, symbolizing wisdom and strength, along with a handwoven headscarf by master weaver Sam Seward.
Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC CEO and Sporting Director, and Jesper Sørensen, Whitecaps FC Head Coach joined Müller on stage for a Q&A with media.
“Since I’ve come to Vancouver, I have really felt that there’s a very good football vibe in the city,” said Sørensen who signed on with the team in January of 2025. “For us it’s extraordinary to be able to have a player like Thomas […] it should be exciting for everybody.”
“I can be happy that I joined this group in maybe the most interesting stage of the season,” added Muller. “Jesper and the team did a great job and we want to continue. I hope I will adapt very quickly. I don’t know how many days I will need to get closer to the group, closer to the league, but I’m fit and I want to go through.”
Why Vancouver?
“To be honest, I played so many years at Bayern and in Europe and I’m very proud of this time,” said Muller. “But for me it was time also a little bit for an adventure, but an adventure for me is only interesting when it’s about having the chance to go for titles. If you watch the Vancouver Whitecaps this season, and also the development in the last years, there is a chance. Not only this year, also next year and these two guys they showed me their ideas, their plans, and I feel quite comfortable from the beginning.”
He added that Vancouver is known as one of the best cities in the world, but that was secondary, in his decision-making, to the football – to what happens on the soccer pitch. “We have not only good players, they are very good people as well and I’m looking forward to something new, something fresh. I haven’t experienced it yet, but I’m looking forward to it.”
When asked if former Whitecap Alphonso Davies helped with his decision he said he spoke to him a bit after the fact but it was nice to get the reassurance about how great the city was.
Thomas Müller 101
- The Raumdeuter nickname describes Müller’s unique style of play, which is characterized by intelligent movement, spatial awareness, and the ability to exploit space on the pitch.
- Müller had a remarkable 17-year career with FC Bayern Munich, where he became one of the most successful players in European football history.
- He was with FC Bayern Munich for 25 years in total, having come up through their youth system, joining the organization in 2000 at age 10.
- He was promoted to the first team in 2009 and went on to win every title available.
- He has 756 appearances, 250 goals, and 238 assists, helping the club secure a record 33 titles, including: 13 Bundesliga championships; 8 DFL-Supercup titles; 6 DFB-Pokal (German Cup) titles; 2 UEFA Champions League titles; 2 UEFA Super Cups; 2 FIFA Club World Cups
- On the international stage, Müller earned 131 caps, scored 45 goals and added 41 assists for Germany, playing a crucial role in their 2014 FIFA World Cup victory. He also claimed the Golden Boot and Best Young Player at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as well as the Silver Boot and Silver Ball at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
- How did he get here? The Whitecaps acquired the Discovery Priority for Thomas Müller from FC Cincinnati today, in exchange for $200,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM), $100,000 in 2026 GAM, and a conditional $100,000 in 2026 GAM. Müller is signed through 2025 and the agreement includes a Designated Player option for 2026.
- And another important tidbit: He is a very funny, and witty guy! I have never heard a player imitate a goat (at first a young goat, then a mature goat) at a press conference. Follow his Instagram and you’ll see for yourself.
Looking Ahead the the Whitecaps’ Müller Area
“It’s not about winning titles of the past, it’s about winning titles in the future, that’s what motivates me. It’s not about the titles but the competition. Competition with your team against other teams, your own competition against yourself, your own competition with your teammates to earn your spot, and I was always a competitive guy for my whole life. My love is to play soccer. My body feels, even in my stage of my career, feels too good to retire!”
“The whole world is watching Vancouver more and more as a football city and I want to do my part. I want to perform.” – Thomas Müller
When asked how he plans to build his game so he can be effective in MLS since it’s a different quality and style of play from the Bundesliga, Müller replied: “I have no idea. We will find out.”
What About the Turf at BC Place?
One question most Vancouverites might want to ask is how he feels about playing on the turf at BC Place. The artificial surface is sometimes topped with real grass for international competitions, and some international players have even refused to play on the turf.
“I grew up in the countryside so we had a lot of cows and grass, green grass, but when I was in the youth [program] we played also on artificial grass, turf. I have no problems with it, my knees are like knees from a 15 year old guy. My knees are not a problem.”
The Müller Effect
Axel Schuster, CEO & Sporting Director said the club has never seen this kind of buzz. Following the signing announcement last week, they had a record-breaking day for jersey sales in the club shop, they had never sold so many in such a short period. Tickets sales for all remaining matches at home have spiked, with Sunday’s sold out.
“It’s all great, and a wonderful thing for everyone at this club. I was speaking with Ryan Gauld about it, this team deserves this attention. We are performing on a very high level.”
“This year we were in the Champions League final, we are at the top of the conferences, we are in the running to win a fourth Canadian Championship which no team has ever done before, so I will say the buzz is great but it should be credited to what the team has done so far.”
“This signing was not about buzz, it was about helping the team have another player who is experienced in such situations.” – Axel Schuster
Vancouver Whitecaps FC are enjoying a record-breaking season, leading the MLS Western Conference in points per game. It’s never been a better time to be a Whitecaps supporter, or to hop on board the bandwagon – all are welcome!
“I know that a player with my career coming to Vancouver creates a little hype, and we want to stay on the hype train as long as possible,” added Müller. “We want to create something special for the Whitecaps this season, and also for the city.“
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