Thomas Muller Shrugs Off Comparisons With ‘Magicians’ Lionel Messi & Zinedine Zidane: “They are in a Completely Different Category to Me”

In the competent world of soccer, comparisons between players always remain a hot topic among supporters. Where stats and numbers often take the forefront, Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller believes soccer is more than just ‘raw statistics‘. The German star recently shared that not every player has the spark to create ‘magic’ on the pitch. The spotlight here falls on the legends, Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane, and the German veteran was quick to distance himself from their realm, bracketing them differently with pride.

Thomas Muller labeled soccer an aesthetic sport, asserting its reach farther than just statistics. However, despite boasting clinical numbers on the pitch, the 30-year-old forward humbly refuses to be counted in the list of ‘all-time greats’ with Lionel Messi and Zidane. Let’s delve deeper.

Thomas Muller on the ‘aesthetics and elegance’ of Lionel Messi and Zidane

Muller stands with the fact that the beauty of the game goes beyond mere statistics. Speaking with SPORT BILD, the Allianz Arena stalwart, opened up about his perspective of the game. However, what caught the attention was Muller’s honest admission that he’s far away from the category of ‘magic’. Despite more goal involvements than the France legend, Muller emphasized that the true magic lies in the style of play. “Raw stats like goals or titles are certainly an important factor. But in the end, football is more than that. The magic also lies in the aesthetics and elegance,” Muller asserted, and that’s when he brought in the two iconic names of ‘the beautiful game’.

He didn’t shy away from recognizing the undeniable impact of Lionel Messi and Zidane, acknowledging the unique artistry they bring to the pitch. “I once read that I have more goal involvements than Zinédine 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,” Muller claimed. Undoubtedly, his comments are a refreshing counterpoint to the numbers-obsessed narrative that dominates the game.

However, the Bayern Munich star reminded the game’s true beauty lies in – the flick of a heel, the perfectly timed run, and the flair of a pass. These are the qualities that players like Lionel Messi and Zidane had in abundance, which captivated fans of the sport for a long time! Though he lauded the duo for their impact, he then shifted the focus to the present, on Bayern Munich’s relentless pursuit of silverware.

Muller’s Choice: Harry Kane Reign’s Supreme

As the interview progressed, the German veteran took a moment to share his admiration for his teammate, Harry Kane. “Who else do we have as competitors? Erling Haaland is of course great too, but they are different types of players. For me, Harry is at the top of the current strikers,” Thomas Muller affirmed.

READ MORE: Absent Erling Haaland’s Father Shares a 2-Word Response to Lionel Messi’s FIFA the Best Player 2023 Win

With Harry Kane leading the line and Muller orchestrating the plays behind him, Bayern Munich is poised for another contending season. But one thing is clear: his insights offer a refreshing perspective on the essence of soccer. For him, the true reward lies not just in trophies, but in the joy of playing on the pitch.

WATCH THIS STORY: Soccer Stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Make a Huge Assist for Esports Space