Gerd Muller once revealed Lionel Messi’s only flaw despite Argentine’s record-breaking year

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players ever and this is a fact universally accepted. He has a global fanbase all over the world, which stretches to millions on the whole planet. And that fanbase isn’t just restricted to normal people; it also includes former professionals and legends of the game.

While the opinions of normal fans are often blown away, when another player, especially one that has an established reputation in the sport, gives some praise or criticism, you have to take it seriously, though sometimes it is intended to create humor.

Gerd Muller once revealed the only Lionel Messi weakness

Gerd Muller is widely considered one of the best players ever to play the game. The German striker mainly played for Bayern Munich and Germany, achieving huge success with both of them, and both consider him to be their best player ever. He scored a lot of goals in his day and is often called the greatest striker to ever play.

Muller once held a record many thought would not be possible to break. Indeed, his record of 85 goals in a single calendar year in 1972 stood for 40 years. It was only until 2012 that it was broken by none other than Lionel Messi, who scored 91 goals that year. That achievement still stands and seems to stand for quite some more time.

After his record was broken, Muller immediately sent words of praise to Messi. He had said, “He’s such a nice and modest professional and I hope he gets one or two more goals in 2012 and that he can then hold onto the record for the next 40 years.”

But Gerd also pointed out a single flaw within Messi, and it was a hilarious one. He said that Messi should have been playing for his longtime club Bayern Munich, “He’s fantastic. He only has one defect and that is that he doesn’t play for Bayern Munich!”

Lionel Messi’s unique standing at Bayern Munich

Lionel Messi is also one of the most humble and nicest players, and after breaking the record of Muller, he decided to pay tribute. Messi sent one of his signed Barcelona shirt to the legendary German player with some kind words, “For Gerd Müller. My respect and admiration. A hug.”

Gerd also decided that this shirt should not be sitting on a wall at his home, but instead in a museum. He gave the shirt to his beloved club Bayern Munich, where they decided to build a shrine around it at their museum. It remains the only non-Bayern related piece of memorabilia at the club museum.

It remains as a statement to the respect and admiration Lionel Messi has earned over his career. His record is not expected to be broken anytime soon, and the Argentine continues to create more milestones both for Inter Miami and hopefully Argentina as well.