Müller’s Transformation: Euphoric Airport Welcome

In the ritual drum march of the Musqueam tribe, Thomas Müller rocked with an awoke-but at the height of the “Muller Mania” he could only laugh and laugh. The hearts of people flew towards the German football world champion at the Vancouver airport, in the sports bar “White Spot” the fans danced on their benches and already sang his name. The newspaper Vancouver Sun cheered: “The spatial greater is now a whitecap!”

And Thomas Müller signed. He signed Germany flags, he signed Whitecaps jerseys, balls, caps, Bayern shirts, scarves, shoes, yes, he even signed the drum to the extremely friendly chief Wayne Sparrow. He returned with a traditional cloak of the first nations that were so important in Canada: “Take it over if you miss your family. May he be like a warm hug.”

“Happy to be here”

Until Müller was able to address the first relaxed words to the fans, had passed for some time after his landing in the afternoon. “I am happy to be here and be a whitecap,” said FC Bayern Munich’s legend and raised a thumb up: “We want to shape the future together.”

But, the football rules, so Müller pointed to the TV wall in the bar: “People, we have to support the boys now! We have to win!” Because at the same time, his new club played in the semi-final first leg of the Canadian championship at Forge FC, it went 2-2. “I would like to be on the pitch myself,” said Müller.

All games sold out

He can have that. Not only in the second leg in mid -September. Already on Sunday against Houston Dynamo he should make his debut in the Major League Soccer (MLS), possibly still slightly damaged by the jet lag after a time change of nine hours. His arrival has triggered a remarkable euphoria for North American standards: “All games for the rest of the season will be sold out. Our fan shop had the biggest sales day in the club’s history,” reported Whitecaps sports director Axel Schuster.

In a dark van, Müller, visibly impressed, was driven through the former Olympic city at the Pacific, which is rightly considered one of the most beautiful in the world. He was able to look in the face himself: Litfass pillars and advertising boards were in a large manner. Downtown at the BC Place Stadium, home of the white caps and scene of the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics, huge banners hung: “A Legend Arrives.” Usually only the lower rank opens for football there – not now.

“First flight without Manuel Neuer for 15 years”

Müller will soon also be able to look over the beautiful bay, where minute seaplane starts and huge cargo ship monsters are in front of anchor. A chic apartment with a Bay view and a car are already ready.

Is he still “slightly nervous” how he had stated at Munich Airport? With the Bavarian beer rest, which he usually radiates, it hadn’t been that far there, after all, “it is the first time after a long time that I come across a new team”. And, as Müller found in a funny video on the plane: the first flight “without Manuel Neuer for maybe 15 years”.