Klose ends glittering international career

Germany’s all-time leading scorer, Miroslav Klose, has announced his retirement from international football.

Klose scored twice at the Brazil 2014 World Cup, making him the highest goalscorer in the tournament’s history with 16 goals, one ahead of Ronaldo.

And with a career total of 71 goals, Klose is also the highest scorer for Germany. He is also the second most capped German, with 137 games. Only Lothar Matthaeus, 150, has played more games.

“With the win in Brazil, a childhood dream came true, I am proud and happy that I was able to help this great success,” Klose told the German Football Association’s official website.

“I had a unique and wonderful time and many memorable moments with the national team.”

Klose, who was born in Poland, made his Germany debut in 2001 and has since played in four World Cups, scoring at all of them.

“The team’s success was and is always the top priority for me,” said the Lazio player. “I’ve achieved our goal with the national team but I have achieved goals I set personally too. Anyone who knows me knows I am very ambitious.

“The job of a striker is to score goals and it never occurred to me about records. As a striker, I am always dependent on my teammates and I give them a big thank you.”

The striker has now followed Germany captain, Philipp Lahm into international retirement, with the 30-year-old having done so immediately after the World Cup.

Klose played for Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga before moving to Italian club Lazio in 2011, where he currently has another season on his contract.

German football is awash with legendary names. From Franz Beckenbauer to Gerd Muller, and from Karl Heinz Rummenigge to Matthaeus, Klose deserves to be considered among the greats.

Tribute

Miro Klose is an international star. He is one of the greatest strikers there have been. His footballing qualities – his aerial ability, his goal threat, his understanding and his tireless commitment – are second to none, and yet I have barely seen a player who is so much about modesty and team spirit. For Miro, it was always an honour to play for the national team and he has given everything to Germany. He will be missed as a footballer and a person, and I am happy and grateful I was able to work with him – Joachim Low, Germany manager.

Klose’s 16 World Cup goals

1, 2, 3: Germany 8-0 Saudi Arabia, group stage, 2002

4: Germany 1-1 Republic of Ireland, group stage, 2002

5: Cameroon 0-2 Germany, group stage, 2002

6, 7: Germany 4-2 Costa Rica, group stage, 2006

8, 9: Ecuador 0-3 Germany, group stage, 2006

10: Germany 1-1 Argentina (aet, 4-2 pens), quarter-finals, 2006

11: Germany 4-0 Australia, group stage, 2010

12: Germany 4-1 England, round of 16, 2010

13, 14: Argentina 0-4 Germany, quarter-finals, 2010

15: Germany 2-2 Ghana, group stage, 2014

16: Brazil 1-7 Germany, semi-finals, 2014