Bennie Muller
Dutch footballer (1938–2024)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bernardus "Bennie" Muller (14 August 1938 – 17 January 2024)[2] was a Dutch professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Ajax, Holland Sport, and the Netherlands national team.
|
Muller in 1961 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 14 August 1938 | ||
| Place of birth | Amsterdam, Netherlands | ||
| Date of death | 17 January 2024 (aged 85) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1958–1970 | Ajax | 341[1] | (31) |
| 1970–1971 | Holland Sport | 24[1] | (0) |
| 1971–1972 | Blauw-Wit | ||
| Total | 365 | (31) | |
| International career | |||
| 1960–1968 | Netherlands | 43 | (2) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Early life
Muller was born in the Jewish Quarter of Amsterdam-East.[3] His grandfather was a fruit seller named Levi Sluiter.[4] His mother was incarcerated in Westerbork transit camp during World War II.[3] Approximately 200 members of Muller's extended family were killed in the Holocaust.[5]
Club career
International career
Muller made his debut for the Netherlands national team in an April 1960 friendly match against Bulgaria, earning 43 caps in total, and also serving as captain.[9][3] His final international was an October 1968 World Cup qualification match against Bulgaria.[10]
Personal life
Muller was Jewish.[11][12][13]
Muller married his girlfriend Nellie[7] on 27 September 1961. He had a daughter, Petra,[14] and a son Danny, who was also a professional footballer.[15] Muller later owned a cigar shop near Amsterdam Centraal station.[5]
Bennie Muller died on 17 January 2024, at the age of 85.[16][17]
Career statistics
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 1960 | 5 | 0 |
| 1961 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1962 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1963 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1964 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1965 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1966 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1967 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1968 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 43 | 2 | |
- Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Muller goal.
