Following his hat trick display vs. Portugal, Thomas Müller has a chance to shatter Brazilian Legend Ronaldo’s World Cup record of 15 goals. Müller now has eight total World Cup goals at just 24 years of age. Seven would tie the record and eight would break it. He may have up to as many as six more games left at the 2014 World Cup, if Germany reaches the final, which they look likely to do. If these six games yield any more goals for the German number 13, he will be looking the record in the face.
Müller scored on a penalty kick, and had two finishes vs. the Portuguese, one off a cross, and one on a through ball. He was far and away the best player on the field and won the man of the match following his performance.
As a player who has yet to hit his prime, he will have at least one more World Cup left, and presumably two. That is ample time for Müller to break the record. If he did so, it would be done from an attacking midfield role, unlike Ronaldo who operated in the number 9 role for Brazil.
Müller starts the game either wide right, or up front for the Germans in a false 9, yet his position is ever changing as the Germans move and interchange with one another. Particularly Gotze, Kroos, Ozil and Müller are free to move around up front for the Germans, which allows Müller to find space and score goals.
Müller was a break out star in the 2010 World Cup, with his most memorable game of the tournament coming against England in the round of 16. During that game Müller scored two goals and bagged an assist and was easily the best player on the field — and the youngest — at just 20 years of age. Müller dismantled England and led the Germans to the semi-finals where they lost to eventual winners Spain.
He, like the rest of the Germans is looking to avenge that loss in Brazil and pick up a World Cup winners medal. In doing so, he may come close to Ronaldo’s record in 2014.
