Muller pays tribute to 'great role model' Gerd

Bayern Munich and Germany forward Thomas Muller
has lauded Gerd Muller, who has been diagnosed with
Alzheimer's.

Thomas Muller has described his namesake Gerd as "a great
role model and a great man" after it was announced the Bayern
Munich and Germany legend was suffering from Alzheimer's.

Gerd, who once held the record for World Cup finals goals, has
been undergoing professional care since the beginning of
February this year, Bundesliga champions Bayern stated on
Tuesday.

Ahead of Germany's Euro 2016 qualifier against the Republic of
Ireland in Dublin on Thursday, Thomas outlined his admiration
for a man who scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games.

"Gerd will tackle the illness in a certain way - with a lot of
courage and a positive attitude," Thomas told Bild.

"Gerd is a great role model for me. When I came into the
amateur ranks [at Bayern] I got to know him. We got along
great from the start. He told me how to conduct myself as an
attacking player in the penalty area. For this I remain very
grateful.

"I have always perceived Gerd to be a great man. No-one in
Germany has reached his strike-rate and yet he is totally modest
and never seen himself as something special. Gerd is one of the
warmest people I know. He is always friendly with every fan
and signs every autograph.

"I wish him and his family all the best at this difficult time."
Gerd was part of the Bayern side that won three European Cups
in a row between 1974 and 1976, as well as four Bundesliga
titles.

He also scored 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany,
winning the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup
two years later.