GERD MÜLLERGerd Muller was an old-fashioned centre-forward of awesome efficiency whose skill and opportunism enabled him to become one of the most distinguished forwards in the history of the game.
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| West German forward Gerd Mueller (R) scores on a header past Australian goalkeeper Jack Reilly and defender Doug Utjesenovic during the World Cup first round soccer match between West Germany and Australia 18 June 1974 in Hamburg. West Germany beat Australia 3-0. |
He scored 14 goals in two World Cups, a record which still stands, and in the German League he was no less productive, putting away 365 goals in 472 games.
But if that sounds impressive, then the statistic of 68 goals for West Germany in 62 international appearances almost calls for a verification of the statistics.
No wonder his fans called him "The Bomber".
The German, who was born in Nordlingen in northern Bavaria had made an unspectacular start in football, having been rejected early in his career by Bayern Munich after coaches decided the 18-year old was "too fat and slow".
