Having achieved a multitude of accolades with Bayern Munich, one might assume that Thomas Muller struggled to select his ultimate triumph in football. However, he is clear: the victory with the national team during the 2014 World Cup resonates above all. On July 8, eleven years after Germany’s historic 7-1 victory over Brazil, Muller reflected on his career in a candid conversation on CBS Sports’ ‘Kickin’ It.’

He highlighted that the joy of winning for 80 million Germans places that moment at the apex of his career. Muller was instrumental during the World Cup, which Germany claimed while also marking their first tournament victory as a unified nation, culminated in a memorable final against Argentina at the Maracanã stadium.

With an impressive 13 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League wins under his belt, Muller stood as an iconic figure for Bayern Munich, having completed his tenure there as the club’s record player with 756 appearances. Nevertheless, he admitted, “It meant more, not because the club is less important, it’s just about the people. When you win it with the national team, you win it with 80 million people… There is nothing more important than a World Cup win for Germany when you’re a football player in Germany.”

He vividly recalled the emotions tied to their performance against Brazil and how surreal it felt for the team to crush a nation historically defined by footballing prowess. With Germany’s fans supporting them even in the final, he remarked, it demonstrated how deeply football resonates with its supporters.

As Muller departed from his lengthy journey with Bayern Munich, he expressed optimism about his future, stating, “I want to figure it out in the next couple of weeks… I have no fear for the uncomfortable situations coming up.” The sentiment encapsulated both his passion for the sport and the historical significance of his achievements.