When Thomas Muller was asked how he felt about being singled out as a “villain” ahead of Saturday’s MLS Cup final between his Vancouver Whitecaps team and Inter Miami, he smiled.
In a match against a team featuring Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba, the German could humbly point to his side’s 8-2 success the last time all five were on the field at the same time.
This happened in a notable Champions League quarter-final in 2020 when Müller scored twice as Bayern Munich humiliated Barcelona in Lisbon.
Or when discussing Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, the forward might have mentioned the 2014 World Cup final, when Müller’s Germany overcame Argentina – which included midfielders Mascherano and Messi – through an injury-time goal from Mario Gotze.
But this is not Muller’s way.
Now 36, one of the best players of his generation loves to smile.
That was his favorite question in a 15-minute media appearance with Whitecaps teammate Sebastian Berhalter that focused on the impact of home advantage for Inter Miami.
Of the past 14 finals, when home advantage has gone to the highest-ranked team in the overall ranking in a competition divided into Eastern and Western conferences, 11 of the hosts have been winners.
“What are our chances of winning?” Müller intervened after Berhalter overturned the standard answer of focusing on the game and the venue.
“10%? 20? Or less?” He continued. “But is there any chance?”
When the answer was yes, Muller smiled: “I’m glad to hear that.”
He knows a thing or two about finals. With Bayern, he won 10, including two Champions Leagues and two Club World Cups. He also lost in four.
Apart from the World Cup final success and Barcelona’s quarter-final humiliation in Portugal five years ago, Müller was also part of the Bayern team that defeated Messi’s side in the Champions League semi-finals en route to lifting the trophy in 2013.
By his own admission, he said that Major League Soccer is also trying to make this final a showdown between him and 38-year-old Messi.
It’s not a story he was eager to talk about.
“I know it’s fair for you guys in the media and in MLS to talk about Messi and me and the big names, but this is about two teams with very attractive and good-looking styles of play,” he said.
“It’s always nice to meet old friends. We’re not really close, but I’ve always looked up to them. They were great players – some of them still are.”
This was another example of Müller’s humorous side, although he was extremely serious when it came to evaluating the work ahead.
“When I look back, I feel very comfortable because it’s already on the books,” he said.
“I had great experiences with my teams in these games. It was fun, but it doesn’t really matter for Saturday.”
“I don’t need that much of my history to be convinced.”