Muller recalled to Germany squad for the 1st time since World Cup

WOLFSBURG, Germany (AP) — Thomas Muller’s career with the German national team isn’t over yet.

Coach Hansi Flick recalled the 33-year-old Muller to the team Monday for the first time in nine months after striker Niclas Fullkrug pulled a tendon.

Muller played the last of his 121 games for Germany at the World Cup in Qatar on Dec. 1 as the Germans failed to make it past the group stage. Muller said at the time it might have been his last international game but later said he’d been “emotional” and would remain available for selection. He wasn’t called up for any of five friendlies since then.

Muller returns at a crunch time for Germany and Flick ahead of hosting the European Championship next year.

Germany has won only once in five games in 2023 and now faces friendlies against Japan — which beat Germany at the World Cup — in Wolfsburg on Saturday and World Cup runner-up France on Sept. 12 in Dortmund.

Muller captained Bayern Munich in a