<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/inter-miami">Inter Miami</a> and the Vancouver Whitecaps reach the MLS Cup Final, setting up a compelling clash where two global icons and longtime European rivals meet once again: Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller. As anticipation builds, one question naturally resurfaces—what is the head-to-head record between these two legends?



Messi and Muller have faced each other 10 times across club and international competitions. The record currently favors the German star, who has won seven of those meetings, while Messi has claimed the remaining three. Their battles span more than a decade of high-stakes moments and some of the most memorable matches in modern soccer.



At the club level, all of their meetings came in the UEFA Champions League, with Muller representing Bayern Munich and Messi playing for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. In six encounters, Muller won five, including the historic 8–2 result that marked the toughest defeat of Messi’s career. Messi’s lone club victory came in the 2014–15 semifinal, a 3–0 win that eventually led Barcelona to lift the Champions League trophy.



On the international stage, the record is even at two wins each. However, the weight of those results differs significantly: Muller and Germany claimed victories in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals and the 2014 World Cup final, while Messi and Argentina earned their wins in friendlies. In short, the German holds a commanding edge in competitive matches. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Messi</a> now looks to close that gap and cement another chapter in his legacy.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" data-id="536940" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251130_BUS_536883_muller-messi_7695a594.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller during the 2014 World Cup final." class="wp-image-536940"></figure><figcaption>Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller during the 2014 World Cup final.</figcaption></figure>
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<h2>Messi’s recent record against Muller and the Whitecaps</h2>



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller">Muller</a> has won the last four head-to-head meetings between the two stars, and Messi’s recent record against Vancouver brings little comfort. He has faced the Whitecaps twice in his career—both in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals—and lost both times. On Saturday, the Inter Miami captain aims to flip the script.


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<h2>How did they reach the final?</h2>



On Saturday, November 30, Inter Miami secured their place in the final by winning the Eastern Conference title with a <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/inter-miami-vs-new-york-city-fc-live-lionel-messi-chases-2025-mls-cup-final">commanding 5–1 victory over New York City FC</a>. Later that night, the Whitecaps followed suit, defeating San Diego FC 3–1 at Snapdragon Stadium, setting up another high-profile showdown between Messi and Muller.



Now, Messi and Thomas Muller meet again as rivals, this time with Inter Miami hosting the 2025 MLS Cup Final against the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vancouver-whitecaps">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> on Saturday, December 6. With another trophy at stake, the Argentine and German superstars are set to write a new chapter in one of the most compelling individual matchups of their era.

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What's Messi's record vs Muller? Inter Miami and Whitecaps clash in 2025 MLS Cup final

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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> has been the undisputed face of MLS since his arrival in 2023. The Argentine adapted quickly with Inter Miami, securing both team titles and individual accolades, such as the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals in the regular season. However, Thomas Muller, the star of the Vancouver Whitecaps, needed just seven matches to shatter one of Messi’s core efficiency marks.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller">Muller</a>‘s adaptation to the league has been seamless, as he has recorded seven goals and three assists in just seven appearances. This output makes the German the new leader on the league’s goals-per-90-minute chart, averaging an explosive 1.16 goals per game, narrowly eclipsing Messi’s 1.08 and Son Heung-min’s 1.00 for LAFC.



The experienced 36-year-old German striker decided to leave Bayern Munich—where he spent his entire career—to immerse himself in a new experience in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mls">MLS</a>. Despite initial questions about how he would adapt to the Canadian club, his statistics over the last two months prove adaptation was not an issue.



Muller has now played nine matches for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vancouver-whitecaps">Whitecaps</a> across all competitions, registering nine goals and four assists, leading Vancouver deep into the Playoffs. In Game 1 against Dallas, he scored the second goal via a penalty in the 3-0 rout, and the team will look to seal passage to the next round this Saturday, November 1st, in Game 2.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">2025 Leaders 🧵 Thomas Müller led the way for goals per 90. <a href="https://t.co/Ubg6h5yPhr">pic.twitter.com/Ubg6h5yPhr</a>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1980779129533272216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Muller outpaces Messi in another stat</h2>



Muller’s goal-scoring prowess did not stop at the goals-per-90-minute mark; he also eclipsed Messi in penalty statistics. In his nine games with the Whitecaps, the German forward has converted six penalties on six attempts, surpassing the Inter Miami captain, who has converted four penalties in his 84 appearances with the club.


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Messi has taken five penalties for the Florida side, missing only once in a 3-0 loss against Charlotte FC during the MLS regular season. However, in their total career statistics, the Argentine holds a significant advantage in penalties scored:



<ul><li>Messi: Has scored 114 penalties, with 32 misses (across Barcelona, PSG, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/inter-miami">Inter Miami,</a> and Argentina).</li><li>Muller: Has scored 36 penalties, with eight misses (across Bayern Munich and Vancouver Whitecaps).</li></ul>



The disparity in attempts is clear, but Muller was not the designated penalty taker during much of his time in Germany. With the role now firmly his in MLS, his scoring output will likely continue to climb impressively.

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The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vancouver-whitecaps">Vancouver Whitecaps FC</a> earned a resounding victory over the Philadelphia Union, delivering a dominant 7-0 win that will be remembered for years. The night belonged to Thomas Muller, who turned in an extraordinary performance and netted his first MLS hat trick, sparking comparisons with Lionel Messi’s scoring feats at Inter Miami.



The German legend delivered a performance for the ages, scoring a memorable hat trick to become the first player in MLS history to net three goals in a regular-season match on his birthday.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller">Muller</a>’s goals came at decisive moments of the match. He opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 30th minute, added another from 12 yards in first-half stoppage time (45+1’), and capped off the night with the team’s seventh goal in the 88th minute. His composure under pressure highlighted his ability to deliver in big moments, even in the latter stages of his career.



With this emphatic result, Vancouver secured three crucial points in its chase for first place in the standings. It now sits in third with 52 points, just four points off the top spot, and will look to keep climbing in the coming weeks.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" data-id="490899" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250914_BUS_491718_Lionel-Messi-7_8ba11671.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Lionel Messi" class="wp-image-490899" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px"></figure><figcaption>Lionel Messi of Inter Miami </figcaption></figure>
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<h2>How many does Messi have at Inter Miami?</h2>



Since joining <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Inter Miami</a>, Lionel Messi has continued his prolific scoring run and brought his trademark magic to MLS. In a pivotal 2025 season clash, the Argentine star recorded his first hat trick for the club against the New England Revolution. Played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Inter Miami earned a 4-1 win, with Messi reminding everyone that his killer instinct remains as sharp as ever.


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This hat trick adds to Messi’s already legendary tally of more than 50 career hat tricks, further cementing his status as one of the greatest scorers in soccer history. Each of his MLS goals has been met with fanfare, and this latest feat only enhances his global legacy.



Though that was his first and unique official hat trick for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/inter-miami">Inter Miami</a>, Messi has consistently delivered multi-goal performances for the club. His finishing touch has been instrumental in the Herons success, leading them to their first-ever title and keeping them competitive in every tournament they play.

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The debate over who is the greatest of all time (GOAT) in soccer usually boils down to two names: <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> and Cristiano Ronaldo. While other legends are often mentioned, the Argentine and Portuguese superstars dominate the conversation. Now, Messi’s new rival in Major League Soccer, Thomas Muller, has shared his own view in the debate.



In an interview with MLS’ official channel, the Vancouver Whitecaps forward made it clear that, for him, Messi is the greatest player the sport has ever seen. Muller did acknowledge <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Ronaldo</a>’s greatness, but ultimately sided with the Argentine.



The German reflected on his many battles against Messi while playing for Bayern Munich, a rivalry that produced both triumphs and setbacks. He admitted he doesn’t know how Bayern managed to contain Messi in certain matches, while also recalling painful defeats against Barcelona.



“In the end I don’t know how it worked so well. We had big defeats against Barcelona, in 2015 when they won the Champions League that was one of them, but in the end I don’t know how we did it. But to be honest, for me, Messi is the greatest player we’ve ever had in this sport,” said the 2014 World Cup winner.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250822_BUS_476955_thomas-muller-1-1024x576_8a036b74.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-297340" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Thomas Muller from Bayern Munich tries to take the ball away from Lionel Messi of Barcelona. (IMAGO / DeFodi)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Muller on why he picks Messi over Ronaldo</h2>



Although <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller">Muller</a> now favors Messi, he admitted that wasn’t always the case. Early in his career, he leaned toward Ronaldo. But over the years, his perspective shifted from pure performance to playing style, and Messi’s elegance ultimately won him over.


 

 

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“We’ve always had this discussion about Cristiano or Messi, both are incredible, but I think Messi has always been a little more elegant in his style of play. I think in my first ten years as a professional I leaned more toward Cristiano if there was ever a debate, but now being a little older and more ‘romantic,’ I go more for style than just performance. And then Messi won the World Cup with Argentina, so now I lean toward him,” Muller admitted.



<h2>Muller: A formidable challenge for Messi</h2>



Muller’s history against Messi’s Barcelona is nothing short of outstanding. The German forward tallied eight goals and contributed two assists in 10 clashes with the Spanish powerhouse, with seven victories for Muller and only three for Messi. In addition, the German met Messi two more times during the Argentine’s stint at PSG, earning back-to-back victories in the Round of 16 of the 2023 Champions League.



On the international stage, Muller has twice shattered Messi’s World Cup ambitions. The first blow came in the 2010 quarterfinals, when Germany dismantled Argentina 4-0. Four years later, on Brazilian soil, Muller played an influential role in the 2014 World Cup final as Germany edged Argentina 1-0, snatching the trophy and denying Messi what could have been his maiden world title.

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After dedicating a lot of his professional career to FC Bayern Munich, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thomas Muller</a> has taken his talents to MLS, signing with the Vancouver Whitecaps. At 35, the German veteran aims to remain a pivotal player, leveraging the skill and experience that have defined his illustrious career. In a recent interview, Muller revealed his five-a-side dream team, making headlines by notably excluding <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> from his selection.



In a recent MLS interview, Thomas Muller made some intriguing choices by selecting Brian White, Andres Cubas, Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lionel Messi</a>. Fans were taken aback by the inclusion of White and Cubas, as Muller chuckled with the interviewer, showcasing his well-known playful personality. The nod to the Whitecaps was a pleasant surprise for many. Yet, the most startling decision was excluding Cristiano Ronaldo while opting for Lionel Messi.



Throughout his professional career, Muller has actively participated in the GOAT debate, often shifting his perspective. Initially, he favored Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi, citing his own lesser success against the Portuguese star compared to his experiences with the Argentine. However, this perspective evolved in 2023. In an interview with DAZN, he declared the Inter Miami star as his choice for the greatest of all time.



<h2>How has Thomas Muller really performed against Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?</h2>



The new Whitecaps star faced formidable challenges when competing against Cristiano Ronaldo. During his time with Bayern Munich, Thomas Muller clashed with the Portuguese icon in 10 matches. He managed to secure victory in five of those, endured four defeats, and drew once. These encounters underscored the fierce competition in both UEFA Champions League and international games.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250816_BUS_473804_Thomas-Muller-CR7-1-1024x576_ba42279a.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Thomas Muller and Cristiano Ronaldo facing each other in UEFA Euro 2020" class="wp-image-473806" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/16192322/Thomas-Muller-CR7-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/16192322/Thomas-Muller-CR7-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/16192322/Thomas-Muller-CR7-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/16192322/Thomas-Muller-CR7-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/16192322/Thomas-Muller-CR7-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/16192322/Thomas-Muller-CR7-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/16192322/Thomas-Muller-CR7-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/16192322/Thomas-Muller-CR7-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal interacts with Thomas Mueller of Germany after the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group F match between Portugal and Germany.</figcaption></figure>



In contrast, Muller enjoyed greater success against Lionel Messi. In their 10 encounters, he dominated, winning seven times and losing only three. His superiority was evident in most matchups. Noteworthy moments include the stunning 8-2 victory in the 2019-20 Champions League quarter-finals and the pivotal 1-0 triumph with the German national team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final game.


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<h2>When will Thomas Muller make his long-awaited debut with the Vancouver Whitecaps?</h2>



Thomas Muller’s official announcement with the Vancouver Whitecaps came on August 13, 2025, but fans might not have to wait long to see the German star in MLS action. Head coach Jesper Sorensen confirmed that Muller will play in Sunday’s game against the Houston Dynamo on August 17, though he did not specify whether he will be in the starting lineup or come off the bench.



Despite his recent arrival, Muller brings a wealth of competitive experience to the Whitecaps. He recently played with FC Bayern Munich in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and logged significant minutes with the German national team throughout the 2024-25 season. Given his extensive experience and current form, Thomas could quickly adapt and become a game-changer for the team.

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Since arriving in the United States, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> has helped attract veteran stars to MLS, with one of the most recent being Rodrigo De Paul, who joined Inter Miami. Now, Thomas Muller, who has officially said goodbye to Bayern Munich, is another star set to join Major League Soccer.



The German midfielder left Bayern Munich after competing in the Club World Cup this summer, marking the end of his 25-year stint with the club. He joined the Bavarians at only age 10, playing his way throughout the youth ranks to the first team.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller">Muller</a> is, of course, a familiar rival to Messi. He played a key role in Germany’s 2014 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a>–winning squad, which defeated Argentina in the final. He was also part of the team that eliminated La Albiceleste with a 4–0 win in the 2010 quarterfinals. 



In total, Messi and Muller have faced each other nine times, including <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/champions-league">Champions League</a> matches, both during the Argentine’s time at Barcelona and PSG. Of those encounters, Muller emerged victorious on eight occasions.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250729_BUS_450269_thomas-1024x576_480a66b3.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-450305" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/29115242/thomas-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/29115242/thomas-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/29115242/thomas-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/29115242/thomas-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/29115242/thomas-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/29115242/thomas-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/29115242/thomas-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/29115242/thomas.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Thomas Muller is set to join the MLS (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



The 35-year-old star announced his move to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mls">MLS</a> through a lighthearted video shared on his social media, where he reenacts a Western. In the clip, he says he’s making “a jump across the pond,” referring to his upcoming move across the Atlantic.



<h2>The Vancouver Whitecaps are emerging as the top destination</h2>



According to Tom Bogert and Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport, the Vancouver Whitecaps are finalizing a deal to sign Muller. The club has reached an agreement to acquire Muller’s MLS discovery rights from FC Cincinnati.


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Cincinnati will reportedly receive up to $400,000 in General Allocation Money as part of the deal. While Cincy held Müller’s rights and had made an offer to sign him earlier this summer, the club was unable to open a Designated Player (DP) slot.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@esmuellert/video/7531361877734034710" data-video-id="7531361877734034710" data-embed-from="oembed" style="max-width:605px; min-width:325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@esmuellert" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@esmuellert?refer=embed">@esmuellert</a> 25 Jahre beim @FC Bayern gehen dem Ende entgegen. Schön war’s!! <a target="_blank" title="♬ Documentary Soundscape - MeridianMusic" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Documentary-Soundscape-7376246142919755795?refer=embed">♬ Documentary Soundscape – MeridianMusic</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
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So, their top offer, just under $2 million, wasn’t enough to convince the German star. Per the report, Muller won’t occupy a DP spot for Vancouver this season but is expected to become one in 2026.



This move marks Muller’s first club outside of Bayern Munich, where he made 752 appearances, scoring 250 goals and providing 237 assists. He won 33 trophies with the club, including two UEFA Champions League titles.

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Bayern Munich take on Boca Juniors in a crucial Matchday 2 fixture at the 2025 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/club-world-cup">FIFA Club World Cup</a>, but the absence of Thomas Müller and Jamal Musiala from the starting lineup has raised eyebrows among fans. With both teams needing a result to stay on track for the knockout stage, Bayern’s decision to bench two of their most creative attackers adds an unexpected twist to the group-stage showdown.



Neither Müller nor <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jamal-musiala">Musiala</a> is believed to be carrying an injury, leading to speculation that head coach Vincent Kompany has opted for a tactical adjustment or is managing minutes in a demanding tournament schedule. The German champions boast considerable depth, but leaving two of their most experienced and dynamic playmakers on the bench is sure to prompt further scrutiny—especially if the match doesn’t go their way.



Kompany may look to introduce both players off the bench depending on how the match unfolds. Bayern began the tournament in dominant form, routing Auckland City 10–0, but Boca present a very different challenge with their organized backline and fierce competitive spirit.



<h2>How Boca Juniors enter the match</h2>



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/boca-juniors">Boca Juniors</a> come into this critical clash under pressure after a 2–2 draw with Benfica in their tournament opener. While they showed moments of promise, defensive lapses and missed opportunities proved costly. Now, with Bayern Munich looming, Boca must elevate their performance if they want to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" data-id="419772" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250621_BUS_422904_GettyImages-2204950210-1_36035d42.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-419772" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/16161659/GettyImages-2204950210-1.jpg 1920w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/16161659/GettyImages-2204950210-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/16161659/GettyImages-2204950210-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/16161659/GettyImages-2204950210-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/16161659/GettyImages-2204950210-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/16161659/GettyImages-2204950210-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/16161659/GettyImages-2204950210-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/16161659/GettyImages-2204950210-1-250x140.jpg 250w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px"></figure><figcaption>Edinson Cavani of Boca Juniors celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during a Torneo Apertura Betano 2025 Group A match between Boca Juniors and Defensa y Justicia </figcaption></figure>
</figure>



Adding to the challenge is the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/why-is-edinson-cavani-not-playing-for-boca-juniors-vs-bayern-munich-today-at-fifa-club-world-cup-2025">absence of veteran striker Edinson Cavani</a>. The Uruguayan star is sidelined after aggravating a previous calf injury, which has extended his recovery timeline. Although Cavani has been eager to return, he has not resumed full training with the squad. Boca’s medical staff remains hopeful he could be available for the final group-stage match against Auckland City on June 24.


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<h2>Confirmed lineups</h2>



Bayern Munich head into the match without <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller">Thomas Müller</a> and Jamal Musiala in their starting XI—two key absences that immediately drew attention. Head coach Vincent Kompany has opted for a rotated squad, with an eye on managing player fitness amid a packed tournament schedule.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/bayern-munich">Bayern</a>’s confirmed starting lineup: Manuel Neuer; Konrad Laimer, Jonathan Tah, Josip Stanišić, Raphaël Guerreiro; Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka; Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman; Harry Kane.



On the other side, Boca Juniors—missing Edinson Cavani up front—will line up as follows: Agustín Marchesín; Luis Advíncula, Lautaro Di Lollo, Nicolás Valentini, Lautaro Blanco; Rodrigo Battaglia, Esteban Rolón, Kevin Zenón; Alan Velasco, Carlos Palacios; Miguel Merentiel.

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Bayern Munich were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday after a 2-2 draw against Inter Milan in the second leg of the quarterfinals, following a 2-1 home loss in the first leg. But despite the result, the match gave Thomas Muller the chance to reach an impressive milestone, one that puts him on par with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a>.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller">Muller</a> played his 163rd Champions League match, tying Messi for third place on the all-time appearances list in the prestigious European competition—an achievement that speaks volumes about the German forward’s longevity and impact on the game this century.



With Bayern Munich, Thomas has featured in every single <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/champions-league">Champions League</a> campaign since making his debut in the 2008-09 season. That’s 17 consecutive editions of Europe’s top club tournament. In that span, he’s won the title twice—2013 and 2020—reached two additional finals, and scored 57 goals.



Lionel Messi, meanwhile, played in 19 straight Champions League seasons. Between 2004 and 2021, he starred with Barcelona, winning the title four times. He also played in the competition during his two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. Across his 163 appearances, the Argentine star scored a remarkable 129 goals.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250417_BUS_378225_thomas-muller-1024x576_ab059c29.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="thomas muller smiling" class="wp-image-226639" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/thomas-muller-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/thomas-muller-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/thomas-muller-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/thomas-muller-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/thomas-muller.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>German star Thomas Muller </figcaption></figure>



<h2>Who holds the record for most Champions League appearances?</h2>



With Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller tied for third place on the all-time Champions League appearances list, only two players sit ahead of them. Second place belongs to Iker Casillas, the legendary Spanish goalkeeper who made 177 appearances with Real Madrid and Porto.


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At the very top of the list is <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> with 183 appearances. The Portuguese striker played in 19 consecutive Champions League campaigns from 2003 to 2022, spanning two stints with Manchester United, his iconic run with Real Madrid, and his time at Juventus.



During that stretch, CR7 enjoyed tremendous success in the tournament: he won one title with the Red Devils and four with the Spanish giants. On top of that, he remains the Champions League’s all-time leading scorer with 140 goals.



<h2>Can Muller surpass Messi?</h2>



Bayern Munich’s 2-2 draw in Italy sealed their elimination from the UEFA Champions League with a 4-3 aggregate defeat. That means Thomas Muller won’t have the chance to surpass Lionel Messi this year. And it may be his last shot, as the forward is not expected to stay with the German side beyond this summer, following a decision by club executives.



If Muller wants to overtake Messi—and perhaps challenge Iker Casillas or Cristiano Ronaldo—for most Champions League appearances, he’ll need to join a European club that regularly qualifies for the tournament.



But that doesn’t seem likely at the moment. Rumors suggest Thomas could continue his career in Major League Soccer, with San Diego FC or FC Cincinnati mentioned as potential destinations. There’s also reported interest from South America, particularly from Inter of Brazil.


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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller">Thomas Muller</a> is synonymous with goals, glory for Bayern Munich, and success on the international stage, including a 2014 FIFA World Cup title with Germany. Now 35 and playing a more supporting role at Allianz Arena, the iconic No. 25 is nearing the twilight of a career that has seen him face off against some of the greatest players of this century—and of all time.



In a 2023 interview with DAZN, Müller didn’t shy away from the age-old debate between <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> and Cristiano Ronaldo. Having both triumphed and suffered defeats against the two legends, the Bayern star gave a definitive answer.



“Who’s the GOAT? For me, it’s Messi because he makes you say, ‘I’m going to the stadium to see his elegance,’ and at the same time, he’s incredibly effective in scoring goals and achieving records and titles. Cristiano is also a strong candidate in two categories: statistics and titles, but Messi is simply more subtle and elegant,” Muller said.



The German forward acknowledged <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Ronaldo</a>’s status as a formidable opponent, particularly during his Real Madrid days. However, Muller admitted that Messi, while an incredible player, often came up short against his teams. “Against Messi, the results have usually gone in our favor. At the club level, our biggest problem was Cristiano Ronaldo in his Real Madrid days,” Müller explained.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241221_BUS_297333_thomas-muller-1-1024x576_89166443.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-297340" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20194857/thomas-muller-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Thomas Muller from Bayern Munich tries to take the ball away from Lionel Messi of Barcelona during a UEFA Champions League game. (IMAGO / DeFodi)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Muller explains how to stop Messi</h2>



Muller also shared his insights on defending against Messi, emphasizing the need for a collective effort. “In my experience, Messi can only be defended by the team,” the Bayern forward said.


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“If he gets past the first defender, the second has to stop him,” Müller added. “If not, then the third steps in, while the first and second recover their positions to try again. You can’t defend him with just one person.”



<h2>Muller: A tough opponent for Messi</h2>



Muller’s track record against Messi’s Barcelona is remarkable. The German has scored eight goals and recorded two assists in 10 matches against the Spanish club. One of the most memorable encounters came in the 2020 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, where Bayern demolished Barcelona 8-2.



On the international stage, Muller has twice crushed Messi’s World Cup dreams. First, in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals, Germany thrashed Argentina 4-0. Then, in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, Muller played a pivotal role as Germany edged out Argentina 1-0 to claim the trophy, denying Messi what could have been his first World Cup title.



<h2>Thomas Muller’s incredible career stats</h2>



Müller is one of soccer’s true “one-club men,” and it seems likely his career will end where it began: at <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/bayern-munich">Bayern Munich</a>. Since his debut in 2008, Müller has played 762 matches, scoring 246 goals and providing 269 assists. He has won an astounding 33 titles, including 12 Bundesliga championships and two UEFA Champions League trophies.



A legend of Bayern Munich and German soccer, Müller’s career numbers and achievements cement his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

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Cristiano Ronaldo caught an unexpected ricochet shot when Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller complained about the officiating in the second leg of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/champions-league">UEFA Champions League</a> semifinals against Real Madrid.



The veteran midfielder voiced the German side’s frustration at referee Szymon Marciniak for a controversial situation in the final minutes of the game, with Muller claiming Madrid had already been favored against Bayern in the 2017 quarterfinals with two <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Ronaldo</a> goals that should’ve been ruled offside.



“Marciniak? He did not watch the video. He did not give himself the opportunity to look at it,” Muller said postgame. “It’s really strange, in such a situation, to whistle so fast. This often happens here in Madrid. I experienced this a few years ago, with two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo. But it was before the VAR.”



The play in question happened late in stoppage time, when Marciniak blew his whistle as the assistant raised his flag in a <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/bayern-munich">Bayern</a> attack before letting VAR review Noussair Mazraoui’s position.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240509_BUS_124979_Referee-Szymon-Marciniak-looks-on-with-Matthijs-de-Ligt-and-Thomas-Mueller-of-Bayern-Munich-during-1024x576_35f66f55.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Referee Szymon Marciniak looks on with Matthijs de Ligt and Thomas Mueller of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Real Madrid and FC Bayern München at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 08, 2024 in Madrid, Spain." class="wp-image-124991" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/Referee-Szymon-Marciniak-looks-on-with-Matthijs-de-Ligt-and-Thomas-Mueller-of-Bayern-Munich-during-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/Referee-Szymon-Marciniak-looks-on-with-Matthijs-de-Ligt-and-Thomas-Mueller-of-Bayern-Munich-during-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/Referee-Szymon-Marciniak-looks-on-with-Matthijs-de-Ligt-and-Thomas-Mueller-of-Bayern-Munich-during-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/Referee-Szymon-Marciniak-looks-on-with-Matthijs-de-Ligt-and-Thomas-Mueller-of-Bayern-Munich-during-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/Referee-Szymon-Marciniak-looks-on-with-Matthijs-de-Ligt-and-Thomas-Mueller-of-Bayern-Munich-during.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Referee Szymon Marciniak looks on with Matthijs de Ligt and Thomas Mueller of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Real Madrid and FC Bayern München at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 08, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.</figcaption></figure>



The Bundesliga giants felt they were prevented from a legitimate chance to tie the series, and it reminded Muller of the April 18, 2017 night when <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> advanced to the semis with two Ronaldo goals in an offside position. The difference is that there was no VAR by then, but Muller still left the Santiago Bernabeu with a similar feeling on Wednesday.


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<h2>Thomas Tuchel also calls out officiating in Real Madrid – Bayern</h2>



While it was <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller">Muller</a> who brought up Ronaldo, he was not the only Bayern member to take aim at the officiating. In his post-match press conference, Thomas Tuchel also took a shot at Marciniak and company.



“To raise the flag in a situation like this where you can never, ever be sure that it is offside… to have the guts to raise the flag in a situation like this is a huge, huge call, and it’s the wrong call,” Tuchel said. 



The assistant raised his flag as Mazraoui contested an aerial ball with Ferland Mendy, and instead of letting the play finish for the VAR review, Marciniak blew his whistle just before Matthijs de Ligt sent the ball home. 



“The referee has the chance – when he sees that we win the second ball, and we win the rebound, and we get a shot away within five seconds – not to whistle. He takes the decision to whistle,” Tuchel added. “It’s against every rule. We accept that we lost, it is what it is. But…that would not have happened on the other side.”

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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller">Thomas Müller</a> and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> have had great duels at both club and international levels. In fact, the German player is one of the few who can boast a certain mastery over the legend of Inter Miami.



He achieved this many times with Bayern Munich against Barcelona in the Champions League and, in the most memorable moment, during the 2014 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a> final in Brazil.



A few months ago, Müller himself made a surprising statement by pointing out that Lionel Messi was a better player than <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>. “For me, the best is Messi because he makes you say ‘I go to the stadium for his elegance,’ and at the same time, he is very effective when it comes to scoring goals and achieving records and titles.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240301_BUS_108302_lionelmessi-1-1024x576_e567d989.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-107353" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/lionelmessi-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/lionelmessi-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/lionelmessi-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/lionelmessi-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/lionelmessi-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Lionel Messi received a special message from Thomas Müller (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Thomas Müller praises Lionel Messi</h2>



Now, Thomas Müller showed his admiration for Leo through a message in X (formerly Twitter). “Well done”, wrote the Bayern Munich star after watching a video of the former Barcelona player with a fan. He even tagged him, although Messi never had an account on that social media platform.







In the particular video, you can see how Messi gives the OK to his famous bodyguard to allow a young Inter Miami fan to approach him. There, he agrees to take a photo and signs the jersey for the fan. A gesture recognized by the German icon.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="657" height="841" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240301_BUS_108302_muller_032be07a.webp&amp;width=657&amp;height=841" alt="" class="wp-image-108318" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/muller.webp 657w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/muller-234x300.webp 234w" sizes="(max-width: 657px) 100vw, 657px"></figure></figure>



<h2>The rivalry between Thomas Müller and Lionel Messi</h2>



When talking about the duels between Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller in their careers, the German player once said: “Things always go well against Messi.” It wasn’t to taunt the legend, but to highlight a reality when it comes to direct confrontations. These two stars faced each other 7 times, with 6 victories for the German and only 1 for the Argentine.



Müller eliminated Leo from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, knocked him out of the 2012-13 Champions League with an aggregate score of 7-0, defeated him in the final of the 2014 World Cup, eliminated him from the 2019-20 Champions League with a crushing 8-2 victory for Bayern and did it again in the 2022-2023 season, with Messi playing for PSG.


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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/thomas-muller">Thomas Müller</a> is a legend of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/bayern-munich">Bayern Munich</a>, but his time with the club could be coming to an end. The forward’s contract expires in the summer of 2024 and, at the moment, there is no clear picture regarding his future in Germany.



Müller has won it all with Bayern: 2 Champions Leagues, 2 FIFA Club World Cups, 2 UEFA Super Cups, 12 Bundesliga and 6 DFB-Pokal. He is 34-years old and that’s why this negotiation is crucial for what should be the final big contract of his career.



Of course, Saudi Arabia has emerged as huge suitor for such a tremendous player like Müller. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> is shining there with Al Nassr and other stars like Karim Benzema and Neymar followed his steps.



Even a few days ago, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> admitted the Saudi Pro League was very interesting for him after leaving PSG. However, in the end, the Argentine legend signed with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/inter-miami">Inter Miami</a> in the MLS.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20231209_BUS_90949_cristianoronaldo-1-1024x576.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Cristiano Ronaldo " class="wp-image-63814" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cristianoronaldo-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cristianoronaldo-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cristianoronaldo-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cristianoronaldo-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cristianoronaldo-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Thomas Müller could join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Will Thomas Müller leave Bayern Munich?</h2>



During an interview with Julien Wolff of WELT, Thomas Müller answered the big question about his future at Bayern Munich. As he is set to become a free agent in 2024, he could start negotiating with any team on January 1. 







Though the Saudi Pro League has made public the interest to sign Müller, the star wants to stay at home. “Mutual bond between Bayern and me is enormous. We will have talks. Let’s see what happens”.


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<h2>Saudi Arabia might convince Thomas Müller</h2>



A few weeks ago, Carlo Nohra, the Director of Operations in the Saudi Pro League, admitted they are really interested in signing Thomas Müller as a free agent when his contract with Bayern Munich expires in 2024. 



“Will Thomas Müller come to Arabia? Free agent in 2024? Why not? There is absolutely no reason why anyone wouldn’t want to join our teams. We welcome anyone who can enhance the value and quality of our league.”


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Thomas Müller makes final decision between Bayern and Saudi Arabia

How much money does Lionel Messi\&#039;s bodyguard make?

Thomas Müller makes final decision between Bayern and Saudi Arabia - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lionel Messi</a>&nbsp;is producing a revolution with&nbsp;<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/inter-miami" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Inter Miami</a>. One of the worst teams in the&nbsp;<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS</a>&nbsp;just won the&nbsp;2023 Leagues Cup&nbsp;and also reached the final of the U.S. Open Cup. He has scored ten goals in eight games.



Meanwhile, following a very complicated debut season, Cristiano Ronaldo finally lifted a trophy with Al Nassr after winning the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup. Furthermore, just a few days ago, the Portuguese star led his team to the group stage of the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League.


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Now, soccer fans and players all over the world are living an amazing moment in which Lionel Messi’s performances are inevitably compared with&nbsp;<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/saudi-arabia">Saudi Arabia</a>. This time, Thomas Müller had a very controversial take about it. 



<h2>Thomas Müller picks Lionel Messi as the greatest player of all time </h2>



During an interview with DAZN, Thomas Müller was asked about who is the greatest player of all time. His answer has sparked a big controversy as he compared Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. 







“I’ll say the GOAT for me is Messi because he makes people say ‘I’ll go to the stadium because of his elegance’. At the same time, he is very effective in scoring goals and achieving records and titles.”


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Though Müller recognized Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy, he explained why Lionel Messi is better overall. “Cristiano is also a strong candidate in two categories which are stats and titles, but Messi is simply more subtle and elegant.”

Thomas Müller picks greatest player of all time between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Bad news for Lionel Messi\&#039;s Inter Miami: \&#039;The deal won\&#039;t happen\&#039;

Nashville SC coach says Lionel Messi and Inter Miami didn\&#039;t deserve to win the 2023 Leagues Cup

Thomas Müller picks greatest player of all time between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - Bolavip US

Thomas Müller was watching the Leagues Cup final between <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lionel Messi</a> and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/inter-miami" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Inter Miami</a> on Saturday, the 33-year-old <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/bayern-munich" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayern Munich</a> star had time to tweet out a message on Messi’s amazing goal in the final. 



With three clap emojis, Müller lent his support for his World Cup final rival, Müller was able to defeat Messi in the 2014 World Cup final in extra time as Germany beat Argentina 1-0.


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Now all of that is behind them as Müller continues to share his love of the beautiful game with responses to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Major League Soccer</a>’s Twitter account when it comes to old rival Lionel Messi. 



<h2>What’s next for Inter Miami </h2>



Inter Miami takes on the best team in the MLS regular season Cincinnati FC on Wednesday in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/messi-to-start-us-open-cup-semifinal-inter-miami-could-make-two-major-changes-20230821-BUS-50030.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">semifinals of the US Open Cup.</a> A win by the Miami side would set them up for their second final in a month.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20230821_BUS_50092_Muller-clap-1024x572.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-50094" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/Muller-clap-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/Muller-clap-300x168.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/Muller-clap-768x429.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/Muller-clap.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div></figure>



The US Open Cup semifinal will get some international recognition as the rights for the game were bought by TyC Sports in Argentina to air in Messi’s homeland.

Thomas Müller tweets about Lionel Messi’s Leagues Cup victory

Thomas Müller tweets about Lionel Messi’s Leagues Cup victory - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/Bayern-vs-PSG-TV-Channel-how-and-where-to-watch-or-live-stream-online-free-20222023-UEFA-Champions-League-in-your-country-20230307-0014.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bayern Munich</a> knocked out PSG from the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/Bayern-eliminate-Messi-and-Mbappes-PSG-of-the-Champions-League-Funniest-memes-and-reactions-20230308-0043.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UEFA Champions League</a> with a convincing 3-0 aggregate win in the two legs. Despite <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/Is-Lionel-Messi-retiring-PSG-stars-future-after-2023-Champions-League-exit-20230308-0044.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PSG</a> having the edge on possession, Bayern was able to be more effective and unified as a team.
The individual talents of PSG were once again not enough to defeat a team built on a solid foundation. Rumors have already begun to swirl about Kylian Mbappé possibly leaving the club and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/Lionel-Messi-camp-has-met-with-MLS-Commissioner-Don-Garber-regarding-a-possible-move-according-to-report-20230307-0007.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lionel Messi possibly leaving for MLS</a> as well.
For Thomas Müller, to add insult to injury the veteran forward took a “jab” at Lionel Messi as a parting gift as Bayern continues to roll on in Europe’s biggest club competition.
<h2>Thomas Müller trolls Lionel Messi</h2>
“Against Messi, things have always gone well at all levels in terms of results. At club level, our problem was Cristiano when he was at Real Madrid, but I have all the respect in the world for Messi’s performance… Individually, it was incredible. (Messi) threw the team on his back. It is not easy to play against a team like the PSG”, Müller stated to Kicker.
<div style="text-align:center">
<figure class="image"> <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20230309_BUS_216020_lionel_messi_of_paris_saint-germain_battles_for_possession_with_leon_goretzka_of_fc_bayern_munich_d_crop1678377290950.jpg_22069893_10f586a5.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=412" width="740" height="412"></figure><figcaption> Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain battles for possession with Leon Goretzka of FC Bayern Munich (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) </figcaption></figure>
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In total Müller has faced Messi 12 times and is the winner of 9 and loser of only 3. Against CR7, Müller played against the Portuguese superstar 11 times losing 6, drew 1, and won only 4.
 
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Thomas Müller trolls Messi and PSG after Champions League victory

Thomas Müller trolls Messi and PSG after Champions League victory - Bolavip US

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