BERLIN: Legendary German striker Gerd Mueller, widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest goal-scorers and nicknamed “Bomber der Nation”, died in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 75, his former club Bayern Munich has confirmed.

“Today, the world of FC Bayern stands still,” the club wrote on its website.

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, including the winner in the 1974 World Cup final, and is third in the all-time list of most goals in the competition with 14 goals behind Ronaldo (15) and Miroslav Klose (16). He also won the European championship in 1972 with them.

“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.”

Mueller scored an unbelievable 566 goals in 607 competitive games for Bayern between 1964 and 1979, helping the team to four Bundesliga titles, four German Cup wins and three European Cup victories in that time.

“He was the best German forward of all time. Without him, FC Bayern and the German team would never have been able to take this successful path,” Bavarian state president Markus Soder said. “I myself was a big fan. All of Bavaria is mourning.”

For the last few years, Mueller had been suffering from dementia. He leaves behind his wife Uschi and a daughter.

Published in Dawn, August 16h, 2021