Thomas Müller's emotional contribution to Bayern's monstrous season cannot be overstated. You can see it every weekend in Bundesliga play. This guy wants his team to win, and he will do whatever is necessary for his team to succeed.
This spirit actually robs him of the opportunity to fully shine individually - because "the team will always be his star".
With Franck Ribéry, Thomas Müller is the true emotional leader in Munich.
That's why all talk of him being cast aside because of Mario Götze's arrival, or because Pep Guardiola wants so and so, is illusory.
As long as he is fit, Thomas Müller will play - both for Bayern and for Germany.
So could he capture a Ballon d'Or?
Probably not - because emotional leadership isn't rewarded by that Trophy, honoring spectacular playing skills instead. The idea is to crown the best individual player in the World, and the case can be made that Lionel Messi - a true generational, maybe even centennial talent - legitimately earns that award.
His play is always at the highest technical level and his movement is absolutely spectacular.
The only other player who comes to mind is Christiano Ronaldo - who also boasts immense individual talent and remains consistently productive.
After these two, there is an empty field at the moment - and then a full pack of very good players (led by Andres Iniesta).
Of those playing in Germany, I think Franck Ribéry eventually has the best shot - if Bayern pulls off the treble and if he has a dominant performance as leader of "les Bleus" on the road to Brazil.
Many see him as the best left-winger in the World already (though I would consider Ronaldo an awfully good left winger, too).
Of course, Bastian Schweinsteiger can also climb the ladder - if he were to lead Germany to the World Cup Title in 2014.
But goals matter, and though Schweinsteiger certainly counts among the best five midfielders in the World today, he plays very deep - so I think Iniesta would get the nod.
In the end, it won't really matter. Should Bayern pull off the treble, nobody in Munich will care if one of their own gets the individual award.
A Ballon d'Or alone doesn't make for a winning team - actually maybe the contrary is true.
As Bayern impressively showed against Barcelona - a cohesive, energized and spirited collective team effort can propel a team to the highest level.
Could Lionel Messi have made a real difference to that outcome, had he been fit?
Yes and no.
He certainly might have reduced the final scoreline, because he probably could have scored once or twice, but overall, Bayern just was the better team and would have progressed over both legs, anyway.
"Are you happy with your performance today, Mr. Müller?". "I don't understand your question. We came to win - and we won. I am happy."
Последната реченица му дава значење на цел текст и посебно ме бендиса.
