Just about everyone is hailing Germany’s new kid on the block, Thomas Mueller. He has indeed been a revelation at the World Cup. Not only for Germany but for football fans, who are keen on seeing beautiful football, kept simple.
While the Ronaldos, the Messis and the Kakas of this world have failed to come up trumps, it’s the new young gun in the form of the German striker who’s taking the World Cup by storm.
But will the young starlet go onto bigger acclaim at club level once the World Cup packs it in?
Possibly no, as Mueller fits like hand in glove as part of a team, who play not as individuals, but for the good of the group or the squad. The Ronaldos, the Kakas, the Rooneys who have turned into footballing icons are probably a breed apart – able to turn games on their head with individual brilliance at club level.
And that’s possibly why they have not performed, or underperformed, at this World Cup.
Most fans around the world view players of this ilk as one-man or one-team wonders. Players of note, who can spark up a game or a team with unheralded skill and unbridled brilliance.
But when they are supposed to shine on their own in a big occasion like the World Cup – and they don’t – then the knives are out for them. And, maybe, that’s where the problem lies.
Germany has shown that they are a team that plays together for the good of everyone, while sides like Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and even England, possibly look to their individual icons, who are expected to do the impossible.
Whereas players like Kaka, Messi and Rooney will go on and shine at club level, Mueller may not as a rule reach a similar iconic status. However the criticism levelled against a player like Messi in my opinion, has been a bit unfair and unjustified.
Just because he’s banging them in week after week in La Liga or the Champions League, doesn’t mean he’ll do the same at the World Cup.
He is having to play a different ball game at the World Cup, a different competition that is, with different tactics and approaches. At this World Cup he has shown to all the many attributes he is blessed with – there for all to see.
His brilliance is definitely not confined to his goal-scorng prowess.
Mueller, on the other hand, may not reach that god-like status after the World Cup like the Messis etc, because he may continue to use the approach that goes: I’m in it for the good of the team, not for myself – as he has showed with Germany.
The ‘unsung’ hero, whose intelligence, skill and versatility brings a new dimension to the game.
Hopefully, Mueller will not become an icon, a one-World Cup tournament wonder, but continue to play the game as many of us like to see it played. Not for himself, but for the greater good of the team and the beautiful game.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Arsenal have survived a late scare at Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham to stay narrowly ahead in the compelling race for the Premier League title. A…
At the time this column usually goes live next Monday morning, I’ll be in the stands at Selhurst Park watching Crystal Palace take on…
And just like that, another A-League regular season (sans one game) is in the books and we look ahead to the finals. Let's recap…
Salah was dropped from the starting side for the visit to London - and the striker was involved in a furious confrontation with Klopp…
Liverpool have fallen further out of contention for the Premier League title - but that's perhaps the least of Jurgen Klopp's problems. Just as…
Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement with Feyenoord for their head coach Arne Slot to succeed Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season.…
