Hailing Hansi

Having often found himself benched during the ill-fated reign of former Bayern coach Niko Kovac, Mueller has been revitalized under new boss Hansi Flick, who has adopted a more direct style since being installed last November.

"We right away attack the opponent," said Mueller. "Most opponents aren't well organized in these moments. It's a game of high intensity."

Speaking of Flick's tenure, Mueller said: "I am very impressed with how he manages things."

Despite having spent his entire professional career at Bayern, Mueller admits he still feels the pressure of the intense media glare at the club.

"Not all media are your friend. You have to face the pressure, always having to deliver," he said."Only when you deliver you have a nice time, especially with a big club like Bayern."

Mueller's longevity at Bayern, where he made his first-team debut in 2008, is all the more remarkable considering we live in an era when one-club players are becoming rarer by the season.

"You have to convince the club that you can help reach the goals," he said of his continuing importance to the team.

Meanwhile, Mueller says sports can be a force to unite people amid the protests against the alleged murder by Minneapolis police of unarmed black man George Floyd.

A number of Bundesliga players displayed their support for the Black Lives Matter movement during games, with Dortmund's Jadon Sancho unveiling a 'Justice for George Floyd' message on his shirt as he celebrated a goal.

"The signal must be: It doesn't matter how you look like or how you speak," said Mueller. "Respect for others must be a vital message of all kinds of sports."

XINHUA — CHINA DAILY