Müller is at the tournament as a commentator as well as a Vancouver Whitecaps player. It is reportedly the first World Cup since 2006 in which he is not registered as a Germany player, ending a long run as one of the competition’s most recognisable attacking figures.
That move has changed his place in the football conversation. Müller remains active on the pitch in Canada, but his influence in Germany’s campaign will now come through observation and analysis rather than movement inside the penalty area.
Müller’s value to the tournament is therefore more reflective than tactical. He has lived through Germany’s biggest recent highs and disappointments, including the 2014 triumph, and can assess the current side from a perspective few commentators possess.
The report says Germany have yet to begin their campaign, with their opening match scheduled for Sunday in Houston. Müller will watch rather than compete, making his presence a reminder of the generation that carried Germany through several World Cups.
The next storyline is Germany’s debut. Their performance will determine whether Müller’s role feels like a loss of experience on the field or the beginning of a new chapter around the team. And if another camera catches him beside Klopp, Müller may want to make the first move impossible to miss.