(Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Thomas Müller Reacts to Cristiano Ronaldo, Bayern Munich Rumours: ‘Body Language Was Questionable'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Supratim Banerjee | Last updated Feb 5, 2026 4:48 AM ET

After almost two decades of dominating European football, from Lisbon to Manchester, Madrid to Turin, and back again to Manchester, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo was on the brink of an unexpected next chapter after the abrupt and awkward end of his second stint at Manchester United in November 2022.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was rumored to be preparing for another European adventure, this time in uncharted territory: the Bundesliga. For the first time in his illustrious career, Ronaldo was reportedly close to a move to Germany.

Back then, rumors swirled that German giants Bayern Munich were interested in signing the ex-Real Madrid phenom. However, in the end, a move to Munich ultimately fell through. According to One Football, Vancouver Whitecaps superstar Thomas Müller has raised eyebrows as he opened up about Ronaldo's possible move to Bayern in 2022.

Thomas Müller Raises Major Questions About Cristiano Ronaldo's On-Pitch Body Language

Cristiano Ronaldo and Thomas Müller compete for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu(Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

Speaking about Ronaldo's near move to Bayern in 2022, Müller praised the Portuguese star's reputation as a strong teammate off the pitch. However, the German legend admitted that he had his doubts about the star forward’s body language on the pitch.

"I’ve heard that Cristiano is a very good teammate off the pitch." He added. "On the pitch, however, I found his body language rather questionable.”

Müller then acknowledged that Ronaldo would have been a great addition to the team from a sporting perspective, but also noted that the transfer's viability would depend heavily on the manager's tactical demands. The German legend highlighted that today's Bayern under Vincent Kompany requires players to work relentlessly in both directions, a requirement that would make Ronaldo a far less natural fit within that system.

“Ronaldo at Bayern could have worked from a sporting perspective," Muller said. "Let’s put it this way: under Kompany’s style, it probably wouldn’t have worked, because all eleven players had to work in both directions for each other.”

Ronaldo could have been a great fit for Hansi Flick's system and a perfect replacement for Polish forward Robert Lewandowski, who left Bayern earlier in the summer of 2022 to join FC Barcelona.

But after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the ex-Juventus star moved to the Middle East, joining SPL side Al Nassr in December on a record-setting $700 million deal. In 2025, he signed a new two-year deal, pledging his future to the team until 2027.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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