Hot-shot Gomez delighted to join Bayern's greats

Posted Sunday, May 15, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

MUNICH, Germany (AFP) - Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez admitted he was delighted to collect the award as the Bundesliga's top-scorer after becoming the first German for 30 years to net 28 league goals in a season.

The 25-year-old has scored 39 goals for Bayern in all competitions this term and he netted in Munich's 2-1 win over VfB Stuttgart on Saturday on the final day of the season as the Bavarians finished third.

He cancelled out Stuttgart's opening goal with a sweet finish after a well-timed pass from Dutch winger Arjen Robben to leave him with 28 goals in the last 26 league matches before Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the late winner.

Gomez scored five hat-tricks in the league, a figure bettered only by Bayern legend Gerd Mueller who netted six hat-tricks in 1971/72 before setting the record of 68 goals in 62 games for West Germany.

It is also 30 years since Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge became the last German player to score 28 or more goals in a Bundesliga season when he fired 29 goals in the 1980/81 season.

"I won?t stop trying now I?ve won this award," said Gomez.

"I?ll try and score at least as many goals next season too, or maybe even more. Who knows?

"I?ve carved out a place for myself at this club now. For many years, I dreamed of an important role at Germany?s best club, and I?ve got that now.

"I?ll do everything I can to keep it that way in the future.

"Winning the cannon was a childhood dream.

"I?m proud to be listed alongside so many illustrious names."

In the 48-year history of the Bundesliga, Gomez is only the tenth player to score 28 or more goals in a season and the sixth Bayern player.

Having been ejected from the Champions League and the German Cup, Bayern have won precious little this season and were never in the Bundesliga title race.

They finish third behind champions Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen and face a play-off to be sure of competing in the Champions League next season.

Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes will take charge next season.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer looks set to arrive from Schalke during the summer as president Uli Hoeness has said an agreement for his transfer has been agreed with the Royal Blues.