Why Thomas Muller is funniest man in football, from Bayern Munich team-mates’ pranks to fooling around with horse, Dave

STAND up for the funniest man in football... When Thomas Muller isn't banging in goals for Bayern Munich, the German forward is making us laugh.

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Only this week he had the football world in hysterics when he savagely shot down a fans' wish that he sign for Arsenal by laughing and saying a stern 'No!' Back in May, Muller, now 32, signed a new deal with the club that'll keep him at Bayern till 2024. Hilariously, it was announced with a picture of the German idol sitting in a room reminiscent of his own during his childhood. Speaking about his new deal, Muller said: "I'm delighted to have extended my contract with FC Bayern Munich until 2024 today. "The journey we've been on since I joined the FCB academy in 2000 has been a fantastic success story up to now. "It gives me immense pleasure to hold up the red colours year after year, on and off the pitch - even if the wind blows in your face from time to time. "So, let's keep going together!" Married to professional horse trainer Lisa, he also owns a nag called Dave, loves dressing up in Lederhosen and is always clowning around. If that's not enough, he's calls himself the title of managing director of carrots because of his horse stable, and his madcap antics keep him and his team-mates entertained.

HE LOVES FANCY DRESS

Come October, and those brilliant pictures Bayern Munich share of their players enjoying the annual Bavarian beer festival, look out for Muller. You'll find him dressed to the nines in traditional Lederhosen, pretending to down beers and joshing with his team-mates. He's always got a smile on his face and isn't afraid to dance Gangnam Style. See below! And since we're speaking of beer, Thomas once poured a cold one over German TV presenter Markus Othmer after winning the 2014 title.

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//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VnKQVXtFfo  

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HORSING AROUND

A notorious prankster, Muller doesn't have a horse called Star or Spirit or Lucky... he's opted for the common human name Dave instead. His missus has her own stables, which Muller calls himself the managing director of carrots at because Bayern permit him from riding. Muller regularly attends events his dressage rider other half competes in and loves spending time with Dave. "I come here to watch if everything's fine," he once replied when asked why he loves horses. "And for the carrots. I'm the managing director of carrots! I watch the dogs. Sometimes I help a little bit but it's her business. "I enjoy it a lot. They make me feel comfortable, the attitude and what they look like and (the way they) live their lives.

"It's fun. It's easy to relax around horses." Absolutely a-neigh-zing.

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//www.instagram.com/p/BZa-8cfDAzi/?taken-by=esmuellert

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FORGET THE TRANSFER TALK

Thomas knows the best way to avoid those pesky transfer rumours... and it's a take on the old mobile phone trick. Celebrities around the globe know the best way to avoid questions from reporters when leaving an airport is to pretend you're on a call. Thomas took that one-step further, fooling us into thinking his passport was his mobile when he walked through a Munich terminal. Reporters tried to ask if he was moving to Manchester United, but Muller couldn't hear them with his passport pressed up against his ear. What makes it even funnier is there was actually some truth to the rumours! It was revealed later that Muller's wife blocked his move to Old Trafford because she did not want to move abroad. Brilliant stuff from the German.

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HE KNOWS HIS AUDIENCE

The jester of Bavaria knows exactly how to get a crowd going - and we mean that literally. The scene was set, it was a crunch Champions League quarter-final tie against Porto in 2015. Needing a 2-0 win, Bayern dismantled the Portuguese giants 6-1 in a thrilling blowout to win 7-4 on aggregate. Afterwards, the players saluted their faithful fans who were in fine voice. Realising his opportunity, Thomas ran straight into the crowd and grabbed a megaphone from one of the fans. He led the celebrations and chants, much to the delight of the home crowd and his teammates who couldn't hide their smiles. He's repeated the trick since, doing the same against Juventus in 2016 following an impressive win.

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A COMEDIC TROLL TO HIS TEAM-MATES

The prankster once teased ex-team-mate Mario Gotze during a TV interview for wearing the wrong jersey the last time he won a Bundesliga before joining Bayern. He purposefully fell over during a pre-orchestrated free kick routine for Germany. And Muller also told a reporter he would wipe his backside with his Golden Boot trophy following Germany's 2014 World Cup win. If you're still not convinced of his comic prowess, watch the video below.

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//www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyEUGxkGmHM

BUT THEY'RE NOT ALL WINNERS...

Muller was in jovial mood after Bayern Munich's thumping 8-2 win over Barcelona in 2020.  But his attempt at a joke left the assembled media unamused. Speaking after his side's triumph, he said: "We at Bayern have Robert LewanGOALski." Seemingly confused that journalists weren't rolling in the aisles at his brilliant play on words, he repeated: "You know, Robert LewanGOALski." But as much as Muller thought it was a side splitter of a pun, he didn't quite get the reaction he wanted with the room remaining deathly silent.