Völler hails Müller: "His value for German football can't be overestimated"

Germany sporting director Rudi Völler has sung the praises of Thomas Müller following the 34-year-old's decision to retire from international football.

"Nobody is like Thomas Muller. His value for German football cannot be overestimated. Regardless of whether he's been with Bayern or the national team for all these years, Thomas has always given every team a face, an exemplary character and a top striker. His game is unorthodox, intuitive, unpredictable, and that's why he's so successful," Völler said in a statement posted on the German Football Association's website.

"Unfortunately, I only really got to know him at the end of his national team career. The way he led the way at the European Championship, the way he helped, supported and motivated the other players was impressive. In the five weeks we spent together at the training camp, Thomas was a very important factor for the group, a wonderful tournament player.

"For me - and maybe for him too - it's a nice memory that he scored his last international goal in my stand-in game as national team coach against France in Dortmund last September. I put him in the starting line-up and Thomas scored after only four minutes, turning the previously tense atmosphere between the fans and the team in our favor. That's the thing about him: he's there when you need him. Thomas will continue with Bayern - we'll miss him at the DFB," said Völler.