Bayern Munich crushed Mainz 3-0 at home, reducing their gap to the title to just one point, while Thomas Müller came on as a substitute to celebrate his 500th Bundesliga appearance.

While Müller started on the bench, Vincent Kompany sent him on in the 84th minute to replace Leroy Sané, who was Bayern’s best player in the match.

Bayern fans knew that appearing in this match, even for a few minutes, was special for Müller. That’s why when he stood by the touchline, the entire Allianz Arena gave him a standing ovation.

The 35-year-old Bayern star, who will leave at the end of the season, made his Bundesliga debut in August 2008. Müller played his first Bundesliga match during Bayern Munich’s 2-2 draw against Hamburg. That day, Bayern Munich was led by Jürgen Klinsmann. Müller replaced Miroslav Klose in the 80th minute on Klinsmann’s orders.

Seventeen years after that day, Thomas Müller celebrated his 500th Bundesliga appearance today wearing his Bayern Munich jersey. Considering Müller’s departure from Bayern at the end of the current season, if he plays in the remaining three matches, he will finish his career at Bayern with a record of 503 Bundesliga appearances.