Thomas Muller embraces toughness as Bayern Munich's silent dynamo speaks out

Despite facing limited opportunities in the starting line-up, the seasoned forward remains resolute, attributing his situation to the cut-throat nature of modern football.

With over 600 appearances in his illustrious 13-year tenure at the Allianz Arena, Muller, a German international, has become a symbol of Bayern's success. However, recent months have seen him predominantly utilized as a substitute, a fact that doesn't deter the seasoned campaigner from embracing the challenges.

In a forthright conversation with Sport BILD, Muller shed light on the intense competition within Bayern and his take on contemporary coaching methods. "Here at FC Bayern, we are at the top of the football food chain. There's no room for 'he doesn't take the coach's decision well'," he affirmed.

Muller, known for his no-nonsense approach on the field, expressed his view on the perceived softness of modern football. "I have to be honest and say that today's football is sometimes too soft for me. Toughness has its charm. It doesn't have to be inhumane, but coaches should be allowed to show a certain level of toughness with their players."

Acknowledging the fierce competition for a spot in the starting XI, the 34-year-old Muller asserted his capability to make a significant impact. "We have great attacking players at FC Bayern, the competition is big. I think I've shown this season that I can still provide the decisive spark and bring a different type of player to our attacking line."

Regarding his playing time, Muller remarked, "I want to build on the two games before Christmas and then we'll see. But the fact is that no matter what the coach decides game by game, every little thing at FC Bayern will be questioned from the outside anyway."

Earlier this month, Muller delved into the intricacies of his goal-scoring consistency, emphasizing that football transcends mere statistics. "Raw stats like goals or titles are certainly an important factor," he reflected. "But in the end, football is more than that. The magic also lies in the aesthetics and elegance."

In true Muller fashion, he humbly acknowledged his contributions while placing legends like Messi and Zidane in a different stratosphere. "I once read that I have more goal involvements than Zinedine Zidane. But I won't be kidding myself - for the magic of the game and the aesthetics of football, magicians like Messi or Zidane are a completely different category to me."