Thomas Muller is a recognizable face the world over thanks to his soccer exploits with German champions Bayern Munich and Germany's national team, but his wife Lisa has her own designs on conquering the sport she loves -- dressage.
Muller time —
Thomas Muller is a recognizable face the world over thanks to his soccer exploits with German champions Bayern Munich and Germany's national team, but his wife Lisa has her own designs on conquering the sport she loves -- dressage.
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The Mullers own eight horses which they stable at a farm just outside Munich. Lisa spends hours there training with her horse Birkhofs Dave and recently won her first national level title at the Grand Prix in the Bavarian town of Kreuth.
The mane man —
The Mullers own eight horses which they stable at a farm just outside Munich. Lisa spends hours there training with her horse Birkhofs Dave and recently won her first national level title at the Grand Prix in the Bavarian town of Kreuth.
CNN
Lisa has years of training with Birkhofs Dave under her belt but in the world of dressage, the schooling never stops: "You have to do eight years to learn everything but you always keep learning," she told CNN. "It's not like other sports, you always train yourself, you have to get a harmony between the horse and yourself."<br />
Foal of ambition —
Lisa has years of training with Birkhofs Dave under her belt but in the world of dressage, the schooling never stops: "You have to do eight years to learn everything but you always keep learning," she told CNN. "It's not like other sports, you always train yourself, you have to get a harmony between the horse and yourself."
CNN
Muller has a host of titles to his name at just 25. He's won the German Bundesliga crown three times with Bayern as well as five domestic cup competitions. He was part of Bayern's European Champions League winning side in 2013 when it also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
We are the Champions —
Muller has a host of titles to his name at just 25. He's won the German Bundesliga crown three times with Bayern as well as five domestic cup competitions. He was part of Bayern's European Champions League winning side in 2013 when it also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
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Muller's greatest triumph came in 2014 when he scored five goals to help Germany to its first World Cup triumph since 1990. After mauling hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semifinals, Germany edged past Argentina 1-0 in the showpiece final.
World beaters —
Muller's greatest triumph came in 2014 when he scored five goals to help Germany to its first World Cup triumph since 1990. After mauling hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semifinals, Germany edged past Argentina 1-0 in the showpiece final.
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Muller takes a keen interest in Lisa's exploits and spends plenty of time at the stables -- a world away from the stratosphere he usually inhabits. He's particularly interested in breeding and says his dream is for Lisa to one day ride a horse he has bred.
Top pedigree —
Muller takes a keen interest in Lisa's exploits and spends plenty of time at the stables -- a world away from the stratosphere he usually inhabits. He's particularly interested in breeding and says his dream is for Lisa to one day ride a horse he has bred.
CNN
Lisa often goes to watch Thomas play when Bayern are at home in Munich but she doesn't subscribe to the WAG stereotype perpetuated by the papers. She prefers staying away from the limelight and didn't travel to Brazil for the World Cup.
WAG watch —
Lisa often goes to watch Thomas play when Bayern are at home in Munich but she doesn't subscribe to the WAG stereotype perpetuated by the papers. She prefers staying away from the limelight and didn't travel to Brazil for the World Cup.
Johannes Simon/Bongarts/Getty Images/file
Lisa, whose dream is to compete at the Olympics, says: "[Thomas] is interested in horses so when we are together we talk about horses and not really about football," she explained. "He knows more about horses than I know about football."<br />
Olympic dream —
Lisa, whose dream is to compete at the Olympics, says: "[Thomas] is interested in horses so when we are together we talk about horses and not really about football," she explained. "He knows more about horses than I know about football."
CNN
Muller says he can see parallels in the way some horses develop into thoroughbreds while others fall by the wayside. "There are some talents and they grow up and go to the top and some talents don't. It's interesting to watch, the development of the different horses from when they come to the stable and when they leave."<br />
Realizing potential —
Muller says he can see parallels in the way some horses develop into thoroughbreds while others fall by the wayside. "There are some talents and they grow up and go to the top and some talents don't. It's interesting to watch, the development of the different horses from when they come to the stable and when they leave."
CNN
Lisa says of her horses: "They're my partner, my brother. I can tell them every problem. They're the most important part in my life." Thomas joked in reply: "I have already accepted it. Maybe I'm number five. But it's OK."
Number five —
Lisa says of her horses: "They're my partner, my brother. I can tell them every problem. They're the most important part in my life." Thomas joked in reply: "I have already accepted it. Maybe I'm number five. But it's OK."