The world champion from Rio de Janeiro, Thomas Müller, returns to the national soccer team. The FC Bayern professional, who has not been taken into account since the World Cup ended in Qatar at the end of 2022, was appointed by national coach Hansi Flick on Monday for the games on Saturday (8.45 p.m./RTL) against World Cup shock Japan in Wolfsburg and three days later against runner-up world champions France re-nominated in Dortmund. The DFB confirmed this to the German Press Agency. The 33-year-old had played his last of 121 international matches in a 4-2 win against Costa Rica in the third World Cup preliminary round game.
On Monday, Flick reacted to an imminent failure of Niclas Füllkrug. According to the DFB, the newcomer to Dortmund will travel to the team headquarters in Wolfsburg as planned on Monday evening, but “due to a tendon irritation” he could “not be available” in the two friendly games.
Last Saturday, Müller started for the first time this season in Bayern’s 2-1 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. A persistent hip injury had cost him a large part of the pre-season. “I’m lively, I feel good too,” said Müller afterwards. He was “always in very good contact with Hansi,” said the offensive player with a view to the DFB selection. “We value each other personally and sportingly. He knows: I’m ready for any outrage. But I also believe that German football doesn’t depend on my personality.”
Immediately after the win against Costa Rica almost exactly nine months ago, which resulted in the German knockout at the World Cup. could not prevent it, Müller had hinted at a DFB resignation, but quickly put this statement into perspective. At the World Cup, Müller was one of the starting eleven in all three group games, but – like the majority of the team – was not able to convince.
Last Thursday, when the squad was announced, Flick reported on a conversation with Müller. “First of all, it’s important that he gets back to Bayern Munich after his injury and the problems he had.” The procedure was “clearly agreed”.
On the offensive against Japan, Flick will certainly have to do without Müller’s Bayern teammate Jamal Musiala, who is not due to travel to the team’s headquarters in Wolfsburg until Wednesday after suffering a torn muscle fiber. Flick said Musiala would be an option again for the game against France in Dortmund.
