German journalist calls on Lewandowski not to beat Mueller's record

The Germans appreciate Lewandowski's achievement, but Mueller has been and always will be a legend. This fact is mentioned by Walter M. Straten of "Bild" in his piece in which he calls upon the Pole... not to score again this season.

"You have 40 goals. Celebrating it and showing a t-shirt with '4everGerd' sign was a touch of class. The record's been reached. You've made it far, it's fantastic. But it's enough" - Straten wrote. "I'm sorry, but I was happy when you missed a chance two metres from the goal. Not because of malice, but because of Gerd, for this romantic Bundesliga atmosphere" - he added.

"Bild" journalist also wrote about huge respect the fans of German football had for the legendary "Bomber". He had experienced it firsthand as a young boy when he used to go to watch Borussia Moenchengladbach play.

"In the '70s I watched him score these weird goals of his. As a young boy I would be in the stands of the Gladbacher Bökelberg (Borussia's old stadium), when the old rival from Munich would visit. Some would shout some things at the arrogant Bayern players, but never at Gerd. I don't know any person that would say a bad word about him" - he recalled.

He also quoted a recent comment by Mueller's wife who had told "Sport Bild" she would prefer Lewandowski to share the record with her husband.

"Dear Robert Lewandowski, if you score the 41st goal in the last game, it will be all right from sport point of view. Gerd Mueller would not do it deliberately" - Straten said.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski equalled Gerd Mueller's 49-year-old German league goal record when he scored with a 26th-minute penalty in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Freiburg to take his season tally to 40 goals.

The Poland striker, who netted for the 11th straight game in all competitions and could have scored more, is already second on the all-time scorers' list in the Bundesliga, with 276 goals, behind only Mueller's 365. He has one more chance to break Mueller's 1971/72 record, with one game left in the season.

"This is a great honour for me and also for the modern history of the Bundesliga in Germany," the 32-year-old said. "I am very happy to be part of this legendary record."

The forward revealed a shirt under his top with a picture of Mueller and the writing "4ever Gerd" on it, after scoring his goal.

"What Gerd managed to achieve was amazing. I never thought I could come close and share a record with him," Lewandowski said. "I am very, very proud. I still cannot believe what has happened. I will need some time to realise it."

The Bavarians, who have already secured their ninth consecutive league crown, had their first good chance in the 20th minute when Lewandowski's shot from the edge of the box sailed wide.

He did it much better six minutes later, sending keeper Mark Flekken the wrong way to equal the record.

"We brought him to Bayern seven years ago on a free transfer (from Borussia Dortmund)," club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. "He became one of the most valuable players in our club history.

"I played with Gerd Mueller and I know he has wished for this day for Robert. Both are strikers who stand out in the history of football," Rummenigge added.

Freiburg levelled three minutes later with Manuel Gulde's header but the Bavarians went back in front with Leroy Sane sliding in to connect with a Thomas Mueller cutback in the 53rd.

Lewandowski missed a chance in front of goal in the 78th minute and also had an 83rd-minute header saved by the keeper after Christian Guenter had drawn the hosts level.

But the result will matter little on the day as Lewandowski was showered with praise, with the German Football League (DFL) hailing it as an "historic" achievement.

"Almost half a century after the unique Gerd Mueller set the record, Robert Lewandowski equalled it today," the DFL said. "Congratulations for this outstanding and historic performance."

Bayern play Augsburg in their final game of the season next week.