Xtra Time Web Desk: Germany and Bayern Munich legendary striker Gerd Muller passed away aged 75 on Sunday morning. He was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Muller is survived by his wife Uschi and daughter Nicole. The football fraternity mourns the death of a great footballer. He was nicknamed Der Bomber for his scoring ability.
Muller was part of the 1974 World Cup winning West Germany squad. He scored the winning goal in the final against Netherlands. He also won the Golden Boot award for being the top scorer at the 1970 World Cup.
Muller scored a record 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games. He also held the record for the most goals in a calendar year after scoring 85 in 1972 until Lionel Messi surpassed his total in 2012.
Bayern Munich revealed the news on their official Twitter account, “FC Bayern are mourning the passing of Gerd Muller. The FC Bayern world is standing still today. The club and all its fans are mourning the death of Gerd Muller, who passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 75.”
Bayern president Herbert Hainer told the club website: “Today is a sad, black day for FC Bayern and all of its fans.
“Gerd Muller was the greatest striker there has ever been – and a fine person, a personality in world football. We are united in deep sorrow with his wife Uschi and his family.
“Without Gerd Muller, FC Bayern would not be the club we all love today. His name and the memory of him will live on forever.”
Soccer fans in Kolkata will remember Gerd Muller as he visited the city of joy with the U23 Bayern Munich team on a week long trip to India. He was the assistant coach of the side then.