adminMiroslav Klose has called time on his international career with Germany at the age of 36. The Lazio attacker played a key role in the country’s successful World Cup campaign – scoring twice in five appearances as he became the tournament’s all-time record goalscorer – and he has now decided to bid farewell to the national team.
“Winning the World Cup was a dream come true,” Klose stated. “I’ve had a great time with the national team and enjoyed some amazing moments.
“There’s no better way for me to end my time with the German team than by winning the World Cup.
“The team’s success always came first for me. We have reached the objective that we set [by winning the World Cup].”
Klose ends his time with Germany not only as the World Cup’s top scorer, with 16 goals, but also as Germany’s all-time leading marksman, with 71 strikes to his name.
“I have also achieved some personal goals,” he mused. “I am a striker and my job is to score goals.
“It was never about records for me, but always about helping the team. I have to rely on my team-mates in order to be successful, so I would like to thank all my team-mates.”
Klose made his Germany debut in March 2001 in the 2-1 victory over Albania, netting a late winning goal after coming off the bench with just 19 minutes to go. The prolific attacker would eventually go on to make 137 appearances for the national team, with only Lothar Matthaus representing Germany more often (150 caps).
The Poland-born attacker featured at four consecutive World Cups, scoring at all four of them, while also participating at three European championships. — Goal
Online Reporter