On a weekend when football fans were bustling again in grandstands across Europe, Bayern Munich sent a sad message. Former striker Gerd Muller passed away on Sunday morning (local time), at the age of 75.
"Today, FC Bayern's world stopped. The whole team and fans mourn Gerd Müller, who passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 75," the home team's Allianz-Arena's Twitter page said.
Muller has been named one of the greatest strikers in history thanks to his goalscoring achievements for both Bayern and the German national team. In total, he scored 68 goals in just 62 matches, helping Germany win the European Cup in 1972 and the World Cup two years later.
But it was at Bayern, where his reputation was built as one of the most fearsome strikers in world football. After signing in 1964, the striker known as the " Der Bomber" scored 566 goals in 60 goals against the Bavarian grassy Lions.
During his time playing for Bayern, he won 4 Bundesliga titles, 3 European Cups and 1 European Cup Winners C2 Cup. He won the Golden Ball in 1970 after scoring 10 goals at the 1970 World Cup in Brazil.
His 14 goals in World Cups are a record that stretched back to 1974 to 2006, before Brazilian striker Ronaldo caught up and Miroslav Klose surpassed him in 2014.
Receiving news of the passing of the German football legend, Bayern President Herbert Hainer said: Today is a sad day for FC Bayern and all fans. Gerd Müller is the greatest striker ever - and a good person, a personality in world football. We stand side by side in our deep sadness for Uschi and his family.
Without Gerd Müller, FC Bayern would not be the club we all love today. His name and memory will live on forever."
Oliver Kahn, CEO of the Bundesliga champions, added: The news about Gerd Müller has a profound impact on all of us. He is one of the greatest legends in FC Bayern's history, his achievements are unmatched, and will forever be a great part of the history of FC Bayern and all of German football.
As a player, a human being, Gerd Müller is unique to FC Bayern and has developed into one of the biggest clubs in the world. Gerd will always be in our hearts.
