Whitecaps star Müller gives simple answer for why he's fully embraced Vancouver
He’s arguably the biggest international sports star to ever play in Vancouver full-time.
However, Thomas Müller’s impact has gone beyond the soccer pitch.
The German soccer star has been a prominent figure in the city ever since arriving in Vancouver just a few months ago.
That began the moment he landed in Vancouver, where he was greeted by the Musqueam First Nation, signed autographs, interacted with fans, even to the point where he later watched sports with fans at the airport bar.
He’s embraced Vancouver to the point where he’s filmed YouTube videos about his adventures in the city. Müller has also been spotted at multiple Vancouver Canucks games, and he even showed up at the Vancouver Rise FC game, where the 36-year-old completed the pre-game coin flip.
So, why has the international icon decided to be such a visible figure in the community and a great ambassador for Vancouver?
“I think it’s because I like it,” Müller said during an appearance on Sekeres and Price.
“I’m used to having interaction with the city and the people,” he continued. “I did that in Munich for a long period.”
Müller spent a whopping 25 years with Bayern Munich, after joining their youth organization when he was just 10 years old. He was with the organization from 2000 until he joined the Whitecaps this year.
“It’s more fun for me to get a little bit of a connection going,” he said. “I want to identify because if I feel a part of the city, my value to be successful for the city increases too.”
Not only has Müller integrated himself into the city, but he’s helping soccer become more prominent in Vancouver as well.
The Whitecaps have officially sold out BC Place for their upcoming match against Los Angeles FC on Saturday, Nov. 22. Before his arrival, the only time Vancouver was anywhere near a sellout in the MLS era was because Lionel Messi was in town.
“This time, I think it’s because of us,” Müller said.
Sure is.
The Whitecaps are in the midst of their most successful season ever, and it’s coming at a time when the city’s most popular team is struggling.
“I want to be part of the city,” he said. “I feel for the Canucks and I want Canucks fans feeling also for us, so we are one city and we can be proud to have these teams in the highest leagues in competitions.”
It’s been a long wait for the Whitecaps between playoff games. They advanced to the Conference Finals on Nov. 2 and are near the end of their three-week wait to take on LAFC.
“Three weeks without a game is not easy to deal with,” he said. “We are soccer players, we want to play the game and not wait.”
“I’m counting the sleeps,” Müller said.