Müller set to join Bundesliga 500 club | OneFootball

Bayern Munich icon Thomas Müller set to join Bundesliga’s exclusive 500-appearance club

Thomas Müller is set to join an exclusive club, becoming only the 13th player ever to feature in 500 Bundesliga matches – and one of just four men to have done so for a single club. Here, bundesliga.com introduces you to the 500 club, featuring one of Müller’s current Bayern Munich teammates.

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Thomas MüllerAppearances: 498 (and counting)Club(s): Bayern (498)

While the outright appearance record looks beyond a player confirmed to be leaving Bayern at the end of the season, he’s not short of accolades. The FIFA World Cup winner already holds the record for most Bundesliga most games won (352), titles (12) and most assists (184). He's also lifted six DFB Cups, two UEFA Champions Leagues and a barrow-load of other medals.

Stefan Reuter in action for Borussia Dortmund in the 1997/98 season. (Frank Peters)

"Thomas Müller is unique," former Bayern and Germany player and coach Jürgen Klinsmann recently said of the departing superstar. "He is one of the biggest German players over the last 15 years. What he has done is unbelievable."

Ulrich Stein barks orders at his Frankfurt defence in a Bundesliga clash against Bayern. (Lutz Bongarts)

Stefan ReuterAppearances: 502Club(s): Kaiserslautern (100) Bayern (95), Borussia Dortmund (307),

Defender Reuter started his career with Kaiserslautern in the mid-1980s, before moving to Bayern, where he claimed two Bundesliga titles and helped Germany to glory at the 1990 World Cup. In 1992, he moved to Dortmund, where the good times kept rolling. Reuter got his hands on another three Bundesliga titles, the 1997 Champions League and even won another international tournament with Germany, at UEFA Euro 96.

Eintracht Frankfurt players celebrate winning the 1980 UEFA Cup Final against Borussia Mönchengladbach. (Imago)

Ulrich SteinAppearances: 512Club(s): Arminia Bielefeld (66), Hamburg (228), Eintracht Frankfurt (224)

A formidable presence between the posts between 1979 and 1997, Stein’s leadership and exceptional reflexes helped Hamburg to two Bundesliga titles, the 1983 European Cup and a DFB Cup during a glittering seven-season spell in the club’s 80s pomp. He then added a second domestic cup with Frankfurt before seeing his phenomenal career out at Bielefeld, back where it all began.

Borussia Dortmund's Eike Immel warming up before a Bundesliga clash. (/Getty)

Michael 'Ata' LameckAppearances: 518Club(s): Bochum (518)

A pillar of both consistency and versatility, Bochum great Lameck played across the defence and midfield over 16 seasons between 1972 and 1988.  Despite his remarkable longevity, Lameck never won a trophy and never earned a cap for the senior German national team, making him the Bundesliga player with the most appearances without an international cap.

Werder Bremen's players celebrate winning the title in 1992/1993. (imago/Sportfoto Rudel)

Willi NeubergerAppearances: 521Club(s): Dortmund (148), Werder Bremen (63), Wuppertal (42), Frankfurt (267)

Spanning 17 seasons from 1966 to 1983, versatile Neuberger amassed more than 520 top-flight appearances for four different clubs. His most-successful stop was his last one. In Frankfurt, Nueberger claimed his only three winner’s medals, with two DFB Cups and the 1980 UEFA Cup. Despite his reliability, Neuberger earned only two caps for the West German national team.

Manuel NeuerAppearances: 521 (and counting)Club(s): Schalke (156), Bayern (365)

Since making his Bundesliga debut for boyhood club Schalke in August 2006, Neuer changed the face of goalkeeping with his sublime passing range and tendency to charge out of his box to clear long balls played over his defence.

After winning one DFB Cup with the Royal Blues, he moved to Bayern in 2011 and went on to become one of the most decorated players in German football history. Few can top his haul of 11 Bundesliga titles, six DFB Cups, two Champions Leagues and one World Cup. At 39, he’s still going strong and has the most appearances of any active Bundesliga player.

Eike ImmelAppearances: 534Club(s): Dortmund (247), VfB Stuttgart (287)

Goalkeeper Immel started his Bundesliga career at Dortmund in 1978 and went on to make almost 250 appearances for the Black-Yellows. In 1986, he moved to VfB Stuttgart, where he won the German top flight in 1991/92, before finishing his career with English Premier League side Manchester City. Immel was part of the Germany squads that won Euro 1980 and finished as runners-up in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

Klaus FischerAppearances: 535Club(s): 1860 Munich (60), Schalke (295), Cologne (96), Bochum (84)

Fischer was insanely reliable in front of goal for four different clubs between 1968 to 1988. He netted 268 Bundesliga goals, placing him third on the all-time scoring chart behind only Gerd Müller and Robert Lewandowski. Fischer's tenure at Schalke was particularly prolific – he’s the club's all-time leading Bundesliga scorer with 182 goals, and won one of two DFB Cups with the side, in 1972. The other came with Cologne in 1982.

Mirko VotavaAppearances: 546Club(s): Dortmund (357), Bremen (289)

Born in Prague, tough-tackling midfielder Votava was known for his exceptional stamina and leadership across two separate spells in the Bundesliga. Between 1974 and 1982, he starred for Dortmund, before hot-footing it to Spain to win the 1985 Copa Del Rey with Atlético Madrid. His return to Germany in 1985 led to a decade with Bremen, where he added two Bundesliga titles, two DFB Cups and a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup to his name.

Klaus FichtelAppearances: 552Clubs: Schalke (447), Bremen (75)

Affectionately known as "Die Tanne" (The Fir Tree) for his towering presence and tranquil demeanour, Fichtel is a byword for longevity in German football. Over a 23-year Bundesliga career, stretching from 1965 to 1988, Fichtel claimed just one trophy – the DFB Cup, with Schalke in 1972.

Oliver KahnAppearances: 557Clubs: Karlsruhe (128), Bayern (429)

'Der Titan' didn’t just hoover up Bundesliga appearances, he also hoovered up titles. The imperious goalkeeper’s trophy haul began to grow after he moved to Bayern in the summer of 1995. Over 14 seasons in Bavaria, Khan won eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB Cups, a Champions League and a UEFA Cup. He was also named German Footballer of the Year twice and earned the World Cup Golden Ball in 2002, the only goalkeeper ever to do so.

Manfred KaltzAppearances: 581Clubs: Hamburg (581)

A defender known for his exceptional curling ‘Bananaflanken’ (banana crosses), full-back Kaltz was a key creator and leader of the dominant Hamburg side of the 1970s and 80s. The one-club man won three Bundesliga titles, two DFB Cups, the 1983 European Cup and one Cup Winners' Cup. The Euro 1980 winner also scored 75 top-flight goals thanks to his prowess from set pieces.

Karl-Heinz 'Charly' KörbelAppearances: 602Clubs: Frankfurt (602)

The only member of the 600 club did it all for one club between 1972 and 1991. Defender Köbel won four DFB Cups and one UEFA Cup during his mammoth stretch with the Eagles, but never managed to get his hands on the Meisterschale. His highest finish in the division was third, in his penultimate season at the club.

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