(Football news) Legendary striker Gerd Muller for the German national football team and Bayern Munich has passed away at the age of 75. In his illustrious career, Muller won the 1972 European Championship, the 1974 World Cup, a Club World Cup, a European Super Cup, three European Cups, four Bundesliga titles and four German Cups. He was also the winner of a Ballon d’Or in 1970.

Despite his goal scoring tally of 40 was beaten by Robert Lewandowski last season, Muller still holds the record of 365 Bundesliga goals. In two World Cups, Muller scored 14 goals and scored 85 goals in 60 matches for club and country in 1972, a record that was only surpassed by Lionel Messi in 2012 when the Argentine scored 91 goals in 69 matches.

Nicknamed Der Bomber der Nation (The Bomber of the Nation), Gerd Muller was the top scorer for Germany with 68 goals in 62 games until Miroslav Klose surpassed the total in 2014. After his playing career, Muller struggled with alcoholism in his post-playing life. Bayern Munich helped the former striker with rehabilitation and he held minor positions at the club until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010.

Muller made his last public appearance in 2013 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of German football in 2019. His accolade was accepted by his former teammate from Germany and Bayern Munich Paul Breitner.

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