Muller will officially start his new job as a MagentaTV commentator for the FIFA World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. Before this, he attended a brand ambassador launch event for the nutritional supplement brand superum and was interviewed by Bild.
Thomas, how do you prepare for this new job as a FIFA World Cup TV commentator?
Muller: I've specifically watched Germany's recent matches more closely, which is completely different from how a normal fan watches a game. The MagentaTV analysis team will also provide me with additional information before the matches. Of course, the experience of Johannes B. Kerner and Klopp will definitely help me; Klopp has previously worked as a commentator for ZDF. In short, I am really looking forward to this job now.
Will you get any inside information from your former teammates in the German national team?
I still have a good relationship with some players, and of course, I occasionally talk on the phone with former teammates from Bayern Munich and the German national team. But I'm not the kind of person who would specifically call them and try to extract any inside information.
Messi and Ronaldo, these two superstars, will both participate in the FIFA World Cup, and they are both older than you. Aren't you tempted at all, don't you want to play again?
Of course, I feel a pang of longing, that's normal. But everything has its time. I will cheer for the German team and am also looking forward to my new role as a TV commentator. This way, as I get older and my range of activities significantly decreases, it won't affect my performance. (laughs)
Then why don't you consider a comeback?
A comeback is complete nonsense. In my opinion, this level of competition requires 11 players, and not only do technique and tactics need to be in place, but the physical requirements are also getting higher and higher. In the past few years, the development of football in terms of speed and strength has been truly exaggerated.
So what do you think about Portugal and Argentina still relying on Ronaldo and Messi?
I also find this very interesting. I'm actually a bit skeptical and would like to see what the outcome of this gamble will be. The current Ronaldo certainly still has a strong finishing ability, but especially in defensive situations without the ball, you are basically playing with 10.5 players. However, I'm not surprised by their inclusion; Ronaldo scored some crucial goals in the qualifiers. As for Messi, I've also watched him play in the MLS. As long as the ball is at his feet, watching him play is still a joy. He is still very difficult to defend, a skill he will never lose. But from a physical perspective, those young players are indeed on another level.
Let's go back to yourself. Since moving to Canada in the summer of 2025, what changes have you noticed in yourself besides football?
I haven't become a different person, but I do feel that after taking this step, I have grown a little more on a personal level. If you spend your entire career at the same club, you don't really know what you'll encounter elsewhere. So now, seeing that I can also adapt in Vancouver, in a different cultural environment, I think it's great. On the field, I can integrate with the team; in life, I can also connect with fans and the people of this city. It's been a great experience, it has broadened my horizons and made me more mature.
What do you mean specifically?
For example, I've come to realize that people from different countries really do think differently. Canadians are very polite and relaxed. Vancouver has many people from different countries and brings together many different cultures. For me, another important point is language. My English has significantly improved. This might help in the future, for example, if you want to poach a player from a Premier League club one day. (laughs)
Do you want to be a sporting director?
I have many ideas. But overall, my focus right now is still on being a player. My contract with Vancouver Whitecaps expires at the end of this year. If everything continues to develop as it has recently, I can imagine playing for a while longer. However, it's currently unclear how the Whitecaps will develop next, where they will continue to operate, and there are also some rumors about the club changing owners and relocating. And I also don't know what my physical condition will be like by the end of this year.
Do you have more concrete plans for life after your playing career ends?
I want to find things that will allow me to stay active. Of course, not as extreme as Arjen Robben, who runs marathons and swims several kilometers in canals—he's crazy! I'm thinking more about golf. I've been playing golf for a long time, and maybe I'll get more involved later and see what level I can reach. As for my professional career, I want to do some self-reflection first and figure out a few questions: Will I feel like I'm missing something? What exactly am I missing? Where will I be in five years? Do I still want to stay in the football industry? Do I want to try to get into coaching? I will ask myself these questions at the appropriate time.
When that day truly comes, I hope I consciously choose that path, rather than just taking a few courses casually just to get a certificate first. I want to learn new things and then prepare myself as much as possible for my professional future. But it's not at that point yet. Right now, what the future holds is still completely open.
Can you give Bayern Munich fans some hope of a return? You've always been seen as a management candidate...
In the long run, I wouldn't rule out anything. But right now, I can't imagine this becoming a reality in the short term. A club like Bayern Munich, leadership positions are not just taken on casually. As Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said, you have to be fully prepared for it, accumulate various experiences first, and then deliver results.