Thomas Muller returns to Germany squad for first time since FIFA World Cup

Wolfsburg: Thomas Müller’s career with the German national team isn’t over yet. Coach Hansi Flick recalled the 33-year-old Müller to the team Monday for the first time in nine months after striker Niclas Füllkrug pulled a tendon. Müller played the last of his 121 games for Germany at the World Cup in Qatar on 1 December as the Germans failed to make it past the group stage. Müller 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. Müller returns at a crunch time for Germany and Flick ahead of hosting the European Championship next year. Germany have won only once in five games in 2023 and now face friendlies against Japan — who beat Germany at the World Cup — in Wolfsburg on Saturday and World Cup runner-up France on 12 September in Dortmund. Müller captained Bayern Munich in a 2-1 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday, his first start of the season for the club. Germany described Füllkrug’s injury as a “slight tendon strain” and said he has not yet been ruled out of the squad but may not be fit to play the two upcoming friendlies. He came off the bench in the 78th minute of his Dortmund debut Friday after signing from Werder Bremen.