Thomas Muller Adds MLS Attraction After Lionel Messi

After an incredible 25-year journey with Bayern Munich, Thomas Müller is finally ready for a fresh challenge, and he’s setting his sights on Major League Soccer. The legendary German playmaker is expected to join MLS in the coming weeks, adding even more global appeal to a league still basking in the glow of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami move.

Instead of heading to an LA club like so many before him, Müller is leaning toward an unexpected destination: Vancouver Whitecaps. Despite a serious offer from LAFC, Müller reportedly turned it down. Vancouver now looks to be his preferred landing spot, with reports suggesting the club is actively negotiating to acquire his MLS “discovery rights” from FC Cincinnati.

Why MLS, and Why Now?

Müller isn’t just following Messi’s trail; he’s carving his path. While Messi brought unprecedented star power to Miami, Müller is joining MLS for a different reason: to create a new football culture, enjoy the game at a different pace, and contribute to something meaningful outside the European bubble.

Former USMNT boss Jürgen Klinsmann even advised Müller to make the move, pointing out that the league’s quality has improved greatly. Klinsmann likened MLS to leagues like the Eredivisie or Austrian Bundesliga: not quite Europe’s elite, but strong, competitive, and improving each season.

Müller has brushed off the Messi comparisons, saying it’s not about following the crowd but about “doing something that feels right.” At 35, who could blame him? He’s done it all: 763 matches, 13 Bundesliga titles, two Champions Leagues, and a World Cup. Now it’s about passion over pressure.

Deal In the Works

Müller’s arrival is not just a PR stunt. This is a real footballing project. Vancouver Whitecaps, sitting firmly in the playoff race, are working behind the scenes to finalize the deal, but as with most things in MLS, it’s not so straightforward.

Currently, FC Cincinnati owns his discovery rights, a quirk of MLS rules that allows teams to “reserve” interest in foreign players. The Whitecaps reportedly offer around $400,000 to secure those rights, and MLS officials are said to be involved in smoothing things over.

Once that’s sorted, the financials are lined up, Müller would initially join as a TAM (Targeted Allocation Money) signing, earning roughly $685,000 in 2025. By 2026, he’d be upgraded to a Designated Player, pocketing a salary close to $7.5 million, making him one of the league’s top earners, just behind Messi.

His official unveiling is expected on August 1, with a potential debut just days later on August 9 against the San Jose Earthquakes. Fans in Vancouver won’t have to wait long for a home appearance either; August 17 against the Houston Dynamo is circled as his BC Place debut.

What This Means for MLS, and Vancouver

MLS has come a long way from being seen as a retirement league. Müller’s interest is a vote of confidence in the league’s footballing credibility, not just its marketing appeal. Following Messi’s arrival, MLS clubs are increasingly spreading their star power across the map, and Vancouver’s landing of a World Cup winner proves just that.

For the Whitecaps, this move is huge. They’ve built a solid, hardworking squad over the years, but Müller’s arrival brings something they’ve lacked: a global face of the game, a proven winner, and someone who can instantly shift mentality in the locker room. He’s the player who lifts those around him, not just with skill, but with presence.

There’s also a deeper strategy here. Rather than concentrating all marquee names in a few cities like LA or Miami, MLS shows it can distribute its superstars more evenly. Müller, wearing a Whitecaps jersey, could be a game-changer for Canadian soccer culture too, especially for fans in Vancouver who haven’t had many chances to watch global icons live.

Müller’s Final Chapter

For Thomas Müller, this isn’t just the end of an era; it’s the start of something refreshing. He remains sharp, healthy, and motivated after nearly two decades at the top level. While his minutes were limited at Bayern in recent seasons, his mentality never was. His trademark “Raumdeuter” role—finding space and creating chances—still works, even if the legs aren’t what they used to be.

With a contract expected to run through at least 2026, Müller’s not just dropping in for a quick spell. He’s here to compete, to mentor, and maybe to inspire a few North American kids to fall in love with the game the same way he once did.

Final Whistle

Müller’s move to MLS might not break the internet like Messi’s did, but it sends a strong message: This league is no longer a one-man show. His choice to join the Vancouver Whitecaps over the flashier, richer LA option speaks volumes about who he is and what he still wants from football.