Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Germany’s star footballer Thomas Mueller is excited about his second trip to India with Bayern Munich.

“I am happy to come back after the visit to Kolkata and Siliguri in January 2009. Happy that more and more kids are playing the game in India,” said Mueller.

Mueller, who won the ‘Golden Boot’ at the 2010 FIFA Wold Cup, will take part in a friendly match with India at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Jan 10 along with a host of Bayern stars like Mario Gomez, Frank Ribery, Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The game, which is a part of Audi Football Summit, will be former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia’s farewell match and a part of the proceeds of the match will be donated to the victims of earthquake victims of Sikkim.

“The trip to India will be a big experience for us, as most of us have not been to India,” said Gomez.

Bayern legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who won the 1980 European Championship with the German team, said the club was happy to send its full first team for the match.

“I have heard about the great experiences from our players and coaches when they travelled for Oliver Kahn’s farewell match. We are now delighted to bring the full first team to India. Many of us are excited about the country, the city of Delhi, the people and their enthusiasm for football,” said Rummenigge, who is currently the CEO of Bayern Munich.

Bayern coach Josef Jupp Heynckes he would like to utilise the opportunity to the hilt.

“We are coming to India after a week-long training camp in Qatar. We will want to show quality football and want to present ourselves in the best possible manner. Naturally, I would like to utilize the opportunity to learn more about Indian football. I really look forward to it,” said Heynckes, who was a part of German team won the World Cup and European Championship in the early 1970s.