Germany goalscoring great Gerd Muller battling Alzheimer's Disease
Tuesday 6 October 2015 23:07, UK
Germany and Bayern Munich great Gerd Muller is suffering with Alzheimer's Disease, the Bundesliga club has confirmed.
The 69-year-old has had the illness for "a long time" according to a club statement, and he has been cared for professionally with the support of his family since the beginning of February this year.
Muller's wife Uschi also asked for understanding as there will no official appointments or visits for his 70th birthday on November 3.
Known as "Der Bomber" for his scoring-prowess, Muller scored 533 goals in 585 games for Bayern between 1964 and 1979, helping the side to four German titles, four German Cup wins and three European Cup victories in that time.
His 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga league games remains a record, as does his feat of 40 goals in a single season from 1971-72.
He also helped West Germany win the World Cup in 1974 and European Championship in 1972. Muller's 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany was a national record only surpassed by Miroslav Klose in 2014. Klose needed 129 appearances to match him.
"Bayern will always support Gerd Muller and his family, whenever necessary," said club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
"Gerd Muller is one of the greats of world football. Without his goals, Bayern and German football would not be what they are today. Gerd was the kind of striker you will most likely never see again."
