GOAL-SCORING machine Gerd Müller was unkindly nicknamed "short, fat Müller" during his career, now Germany's latest hot-shot star has been dubbed "El Flaco" – the Skinny One – by Argentina legend Maradona.
Thomas Mueller claimed the first hat-trick of the World Cup finals in Monday's 4-0 drubbing of Portugal in Germany's Group G opener in Salvador.
The Bayern Munich star, 24, is normally deployed as a winger or attacking midfielder and has only made rare appearances as striker for either club or country. But the gangly Mueller repaid the faith of head coach Joachim Loew with an impressive display as a striker against Portugal, which led to Maradona – who almost singlehandedly inspired Argentina to the 1986 World Cup trophy – dubbing him "El Flaco".
"He has no muscles, but today he tore them [Portugal] apart," an impressed Maradona said.
The goal-scoring exploits of stocky 1970s star Gerd Müller are legendary among Germany fans, but his younger namesake currently has his football-mad country swooning. The 68-year-old Gerd – also nicknamed "Das Bomber" – retired after scoring West Germany's winning goal in the 1974 World Cup final against the Netherlands.
He finished his career with an incredible 68 goals in 62 internationals and the younger Mueller is producing similar impressive statistics with 20 goals in 50 internationals.
"The lad's fast, he's got a good technique – he's going to be a great player," Gerd Müller said.
"It's his unorthodox playing style that characterises Thomas Mueller," ex-Germany captain Oliver Kahn said.
"Sometimes he doesn't know himself exactly what he's going to do." – AFP