Muller's rapid development owes much to Bayern boss Louis van Gaal, a coach always ready to take a chance on youth, who gave him his first start for the club in the 2009-10 season.

Having played as a youth for TSV Pahl, Muller caught the eye of Bayern at the age of ten and progressed through the ranks to make his reserve debut in 2008. Excellent performances for the U-19s and in pre-season friendlies saw him promoted to the first XI and in 2009-10 he made 46 appearances for the club, scoring 19 goals.

Thrust into the limelight, Muller was given his national team bow and made the squad for the 2010 World Cup, where his attacking performances made him the surprise package of the tournament and saw him pick up the Golden Boot amid a host of praise.

Strengths: A model professional, his down-to-earth attitude has won him many friends, while his vision, technique and composure marks him out against his opponents.

Weaknesses: He still needs to fully develop physically and has a tendency to occasionally drift out of games.

Career high: Named the Best Young Player at the 2010 World Cup, he also won the Golden Boot with five goals and three assists.

Career low: The 2008-09 season saw him make four substitute appearances for the first-team, but fail to make the breakthrough.

Style: Quick, incisive, a fine passer and visionary midfielder.

Quotes: "Twelve months ago I was wondering if I could stake a claim to play for Bayern in the Bundesliga. Now I'm in the national team and it's like a dream. It cannot get any better." Thomas Muller.

Trivia: At the World Cup, Diego Maradona refused to sit in a press conference with Muller, as he didn't know he was a player. After Germany's 4-0 thrashing of Argentina, Muller said: "As for Maradona, well this is special for me. I don't think that he thinks I am a ball boy anymore.''