Miroslave Klose has front flipped for Germany for the final time. The all-time leading scorer for the World Cup and for Germany has decided to hang up his cleats, and he goes out as a World Cup champion.
Klose scored his 16th World Cup goal earlier last month in the 7-1 massacre against Brazil and with the goal, flipped passed Brazil’s Ronaldo for the all-time goal scoring record. Three days later, he played 88 minutes (the most of the tournament for him) in the final against Argentina, as he gave way to Mario Goetze who scored the winning goal for Germany in overtime. It was only fitting, that the man who will replace Klose on the national team, was the man who helped him achieve his ultimate dream.
“With the win in Brazil, a childhood dream came true, I am proud and happy that I was able to help this great success,” he wrote on the German Men’s National team’s official website. “I had a unique and wonderful time and many memorable moments with the national team.”
Klose was born in Poland to a family of athletes. His father was a professional soccer player while his mother was a professional handball player who played for the Polish National team. Klose’s family left Poland for Germany when he was 2 and as an adolescent he told his parents that he wanted to be a carpenter when he grew up. Instead of building homes, he built championships and whether he knew it or not, scoring goals became his profession.
Klose first debuted for Germany in 2001 and finishes his run for Die Mannschaft with 137 caps, 71 goals, 6 international semifinals , a World Cup record 16 goals, and of course, the title of World Cup Champion. Despite his success and accolades, Klose still choose to make his story about the team.
“The team’s success was and is always the top priority for me, 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.” said the tall striker.
“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. “
Perhaps more special than the bond Klose shared with his teammates was the unique bond between player and a coach. Germany’s coach Joachim Loew became an assistant with Germany under Jurgen Klinnsmann shortly after Klose joined the national team. It was at that time the love and respect for each other began to blossom.
“Miro was already in the national team when I joined the DFB as an assistant coach in 2004, so we have now spent 10 years working together. His aerial strength, presence in the penalty area, understanding of the game and tireless commitment are without equal, and yet I have rarely encountered a player so down to earth, modest, fair, professional, reliable and team-spirited.” Loew told the media on Monday.
The mutual admiration between Loew and Klose was never more apparent when German powerhouse, Bayern Munich released Klose in early 2011. At the time, Bayern officials said that Klose was not the world class finisher he once was, but Loew wasn’t convinced. Loew told Klose in private, that if he stayed in shape, and continued to be hungry, he would make sure he was going to Brazil in 2014 ahead of any other striker.
Klose returned the favor to Loew with a beautiful goal that tied the game against Ghana and saved Germany from any loss of confidence headed into the knockout rounds. Additionally, Klose’s leadership and ability to mentor Germany’s younger players was crucial in their quest for the cup.
Klose joins teammate and Germany captain, Phillip Lahm into retirement as both players leave the international game on top. The two world cup champions and teammates will be honored on Sept. 3 in a friendly against their World Cup final opponent Argentina. That day will mark a new era in German soccer, one in which the names of Klose and Lahm will no longer be on the pitch, but cheering from the stands.
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