Veteran Germany striker Miroslav Klose has called time on his international career at the age of 36, with the iconic forward having become the all-time World Cup top scorer in Brazil earlier this year.
The Lazio attacker played a key role in Germany’s successful World Cup campaign – scoring twice in five appearances – and he has now decided to say farewell to the national team as he feels he has reached the pinnacle of his career.
“Winning the World Cup was a dream come true. 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,” Klose commented on his decision.
“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 all-time World Cup top scorer with 16 goals, but also as Germany’s all-time leading scorer with 71 strikes and he has thanked his team-mates for giving him the chance to shine.
“But I have also achieved some personal goals. 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 home-win over Albania, where he came off the bench in the 73rd minute and netted the winner in the closing stages of the game.
The prolific attacker would eventually go on to make 137 appearances for the world champions, 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.
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Miroslav Klose retires from international football
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