London
Legendary German striker Gerd Mueller died in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 75, his former club Bayern Munich announced, as tributes were paid to the footballer nicknamed “The Bomber”.
“Today, the world of FC Bayern stands still,” the Bundesliga giants wrote on their website with the famous club logo coloured black.
During a glittering career, Mueller scored a record 365 goals for Bayern in the Bundesliga during the 1960s and 70s, as well as scoring 68 times for West Germany in 62 internationals.
“Today is a sad, black day for FC Bayern and its fans,” said Bayern president Herbert Hainer.
“Gerd Mueller was the greatest striker there has ever been — and a fine person, a personality in world football. “Without Gerd Mueller, FC Bayern would not be the club we all love today.
“His name and the memory of him will live on forever.” For the last few years, Mueller had been suffering from dementia.
He leaves behind his wife Uschi and a daughter. Former England captain Gary Lineker described Mueller as “the greatest penalty box goal-scorer I’ve ever seen”.
“Very sorry to hear that Gerd Mueller has passed away. Loved watching him as a child and learnt so much from doing so,” Lineker wrote on Twitter. —AP
