After leaving Asia due to a hip injury, Bayern professional Thomas Müller spoke up.
He could not take part in FC Bayern Munich’s Asia trip, “there is simply too much to do now to be pain-free and then catch up on the training deficit,” said the 33-year-old attacker in a video published on his social media channels. Müller is to complete an advanced training course in Munich in order to be able to train with the team again after the Bayern team returns from Asia. “I’ll be working hard on that over the next two weeks and then hopefully return as soon as possible,” said the former soccer world champion. “I’m confident that this is the right strategy now. (…) See you soon, I’ll be back soon.”
“Thomas has certain hip problems. And together with the doctors we decided that from a sporting point of view it would be better if Thomas stayed at home and didn’t travel to Asia,” said Dreesen. The 33-year-old attacker should be spared the travel strain with long flights, time changes and extreme climatic conditions. Due to hip problems, Müller had already missed the training camp at Tegernsee except for the starting phase. Müller is to complete an advanced training course in Munich in order to be able to train with the team again after the Bayern team returns from Asia.
The German soccer champion travels to Tokyo on Monday, where two test matches against Manchester City and Kawasaki Frontale are scheduled. At the end of the tour there is a third game in Singapore against Liverpool FC. The Bayern entourage will return to Munich on August 3rd. “Of course, Thomas would have done us good from a marketing point of view and commercially on the trip,” said Dreesen. But the sporting part is always in the foreground at FC Bayern, emphasized the CEO: “We want a healthy Thomas and therefore refrain from taking him with us.” After breaking his leg, captain Neuer will not travel to Asia either, but will continue his development program at home.
Newcomer Kim makes his debut on a trip to Asia
Kim, who was signed by the Italian champions SSC Naples for 50 million euros, is now very helpful as an advertising figure for FC Bayern on the Asia tour. The 26-year-old is likely to play for Bayern for the first time in Tokyo. “Min-Jae is a player who is already a legend in Korea and is celebrated,” remarked Dreesen. “That makes him all the more valuable for us on the journey.”
Defense giant Kim wants to leave a lasting impression with the German record champions in his initially agreed five years of contract with strong performances and many title wins. He is a polite and rather shy person off the field, said the central defender, who was also a wish from coach Thomas Tuchel. On the field, however, he wants to “become a leader and fight,” Kim announced.
