Germany striker Miroslav Klose has today announced his retirement from international football. The 36-year-old goes out on a high, having played a key role in Germany's triumphant World Cup campaign, and will see out his career in Italy with Lazio.
Miroslav Klose announces international retirement
One of this generation’s most prolific international goalscorers has hung up his boots.
Pool
Though coach Jogi Löw's decision to take the veteran to Brazil as the only recognised striker drew criticism before the tournament, Klose repaid his coach's faith with two goals and a series of selfless, hard-working performances as Germany progressed. The second of those goals, against Brazil in that 7-1 semi-final, saw him become the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer, passing the great Brazilian Ronaldo.
Klose is one of only a few players to have finished first, second and third (twice) at World Cups, and he stands as Germany’s all time international top goalscorer, with 71. With 137 caps to his name, he ends his career as Germany’s second-most capped player of all time, behind only Lothar Matthäus.
Though nobody could ever call him the most thrilling of strikers — his sixteen World Cup goals came an average distance of about five yards — his ability to find space in the box and make the right, necessary contact was both undeniable and invaluable. If nothing else, the fact that he broke records belonging to Ronaldo and Gerd Müller, two of the finest forwards the game has ever seen, speaks volumes as to the scale of his achievements and his importance to his country.
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