A great player is bowing out. After ten years at VfL Wolfsburg. After winning five of a possible six titles in the past two years. After many important goals. After 101 caps for Germany, Martina Müller will end her career at the end of the season, aged 35.
The DFB Cup final on Friday (17:15 CEST) against 1.FFC Turbine Potsdam in Köln could be the perfect curtain call on an impressive career. “I’m so happy that we are going back to Cologne this year and will be able to enjoy the amazing atmosphere again in such a wonderful stadium”, said the once World and European champion, who would have no objections to the repeat of the 2013 treble winning season. Two years ago Wolfsburg beat Potsdam 3-2 in the DFB Cup final, thanks to two goals from Müller.
Müller has been at war with herself for a while. Shall I stay on another year? Or quit? “I’m happy that I made my decision now. I thought about it for a long time but finally came to the conclusion that this is the right time. I can reorganise my life and focus more on the things that have been neglected over recent years because of sport”, said Müller, who has already started working in the mobility service at Volkswagen. From the summer she will work full time at VW. “I want to thank VfL and the fans for all the years we’ve enjoyed together and all the constant support I’ve had.”
Müller: "The speed of the club’s development has been sensational"
That gratitude is shared by the VfL fans. Müller was brought in from SC 07 Bad Neuenahr in 2005. It was an unusual step for an international player to step down into 2. Bundesliga. But it was a decision she wouldn’t regret. Quite the contrary in fact: she celebrated groundbreaking success at Wolfsburg. Firstly, she played a decisive role in the clubs direct promotion as the league’s top goalscorer with 36 goals. Then began the clubs incredible rise to the top of world football.
“I was shown that the clubs potential for day one. And those in charge have completely kept their word,” emphasised Müller. “It was clear from the beginning that something big and long lasting was being built here. The fact the club has developed so quickly is obviously sensational.” Müller has been a constant pillar in the side that has recent won the Champions League twice, two German titles and a DFB Cup. With the national team she became a European and World Champion twice each. Her wealth of experience is incredible. She knows how to hold her nerve at the decisive moments.
The perfect team player
For Müller things are going close to perfect in the late autumn of her career. She once again scored more than ten goals this season in the Allianz- Frauen- Bundesliga, putting her among the league’s leading scorers. But more important than her own personal success is the consistent success of her team. “Individually we can do nothing. We can only succeed as a team. One of our biggest strengths is undoubtedly the quality of our bench. Whoever is substituted, there is never a drop in the performance level or quality. That is such a huge quality to have.”
Müller will remain the perfect team player until the final seconds of her career. Every manager wishes they had a player like her in their squad. As such, she will leave a great hole in her team when she leaves. “Martina’s decision is unfortunate. She is a very important player who will miss greatly”, said Ralf Kellermann.
“Without Martina we wouldn’t be where we are today. As the first national player, and with her loyalty to VfL, she helped attract many more great players. As a team, we will do our best to give her a worthy send off by sealing the title.” Then it’s the end of an era.
