Mueller: There´s no rivalry with Robben

Thomas Mueller insists there is no rivalry developing between he and Arjen Robben as they battle for a starting berth for Bayern Munich.

Only once since Robben returned to action last month after a spell out injured have the pair started alongside one another, against Borussia Dortmund in the Dutchman’s comeback game.

Since then, they have been competing for the same position in the Bavarians’ attack.

Mueller has gotten the nod on the right flank in Bayern’s last two outings, but Robben scored twice from the penalty spot in the 4-1 win against Werder Bremen at the weekend.

Mueller’s status as a first-team regular is now in serious jeopardy, however, the Germany international holds no ill will towards his Dutch colleague.

“I’ve never seen Arjen as competition,” Mueller told Goal.com. “I see him as my team-mate.”

With Mueller currently struggling with an illness, it seems likely that Robben will start against Manchester City in their Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

The game is of no consequence to Bayern, who have already qualified for the knockout stages as group winners, but is of utmost importance to the home side given that they can still pip Napoli to second place in the group.

Mueller, though, insists the Bundesliga leaders will be going all out for victory despite the fact that they have nothing to play for.

“We don’t want to be slandered for distorting the competition,” he said. “Therefore, we will work hard.”

Mueller’s main focus, though, is getting back to full health as quickly as possible and then rediscovering the form which saw him nominated for the FIFA Ballon d’Or.

“I am very proud that I was chosen for the second time in the top 23 footballers in the world,” he said.

The list of nominees was cut to just three players on Monday morning: Lionel Messi, Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

After expressing his disappointment at failing to make the shortlist with tongue very much in cheek, Mueller revealed that he would like to see Real Madrid’s Ronaldo land the accolade.

“It has me totally defeated that I will not win,” he joked. “(But) Messi has already won so much, maybe they should give the title to Ronaldo for once.”

Mueller is considered one of the most exciting young talents in Europe and, at just 22, is already a regular for Germany, with 25 caps and 10 international goals to his name.