Knicks Parade Creates Surprise Obstacle for Thomas Muller Amid 2026 World Cup
New York City shut down on Wednesday, and not even a World Cup legend could get through it.
Thomas Muller, the former Germany international now playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS, found himself stuck in the middle of the New York Knicks' NBA championship parade while trying to get to training.
The parade kicked off at 10:00 AM near Bowling Green and moved north up Broadway toward City Hall. Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined the Knicks roster on floats as the celebration wound through Manhattan, with the crowd overwhelming local transit and making movement through the city nearly impossible for anyone who had somewhere to be.
Millions of fans packed the streets of Manhattan, bringing the city to a complete standstill as the Knicks celebrated their first title in 53 years.
Muller didn't seem too bothered by it, but he made sure to let the fans know what happened.
"I wanted to go to my training session today," Muller said via ESPN FC. "Soccer field. Took the bike, but I don't know why I struggled a little bit. The Knicks are too strong this year, even the parade is massive. It's massive."
Tough day to try and get through New York City
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 18, 2026
(via @esmuellert_) pic.twitter.com/1nFdi9b4Be
Muller, 36, made the move to MLS in August 2025 after spending 25 years with Bayern Munich. He signed with Vancouver and wasted little time making an impact, helping guide the Whitecaps to their first-ever MLS Cup final in 2025.
They fell short against Inter Miami but the club believed in what he brought to the team. Vancouver exercised its contract option to keep him as a Designated Player for the 2026 season.
His international career ended after Euro 2024 when he retired from Germany duty. He walked away with 131 caps and 45 goals, making him the fourth-most capped player in German football history. His fingerprints are all over Germany's 2014 World Cup win in Brazil as well, where he was one of the tournament's key figures.
Muller won't be part of the 2026 World Cup with Germany but he's staying close to the action. With the tournament being held in North America, his Vancouver base keeps him right in the mix as the sport's biggest stage comes to his adopted continent.
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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 1:53 PM.