Thomas Müller has asked the public to have a slightly more humble attitude regarding the national team's chances of winning the 2026 World Cup.
What happened?
On Wednesday, at the German House of Soccer in New York, Müller expressed his thoughts on Germany's expectations.
The 2014 world champion stated that as a football nation, Germany has certain expectations, but the team cannot be expected to march toward the title from start to finish.
Why it matters for Thomas Müller
Müller's comments come after Germany started the tournament with a 7-1 win against underdogs Curaçao.
He emphasized the importance of evaluating performance, not just the result, and focusing on the path ahead rather than the final.
What comes next?
Germany will face Ivory Coast on Saturday, and Müller stressed that the team is in a position to beat any opponent.
He compared the current team to the 2010 team, which finished third in the World Cup, stating that they are very strong contenders.
Müller retired from international football after Euro 2024 and left his boyhood club Bayern Munich to join the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The former Germany midfielder's comments highlight the need for a balanced approach to the tournament, focusing on growth and evaluation rather than just the end result.
Müller's experience and insight will likely be valuable as Germany navigates the World Cup, and his humble attitude may help to manage expectations and pressure.
The German team's performance will be closely watched, and Müller's comments will likely be taken into consideration as they move forward in the tournament.