Berlin: German veteran striker Miroslav Klose Monday announced his retirement from the national team.
After lifting the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Klose becomes the second German player, after Philipp Lahm, who announced his retirement from the national team, reports Xinhua.
The 36-year-old striker closed the chapter after 13 years with the ‘Nationalmannschaft’.
“With the triumph in Brazil a childhood dream came true for me. I am proud and delighted that I was able to shape this great success for German football. I had a unique and wonderful time with many memorable moments with the national team. For me there is no better time to close the chapter,” Klose told the German Soccer Association (DFB) in an official statement.
Klose made his international debut in March 2001 against Albania to become Germany’s record goal scorer with 71 goals in 137 international caps. Besides that he is the overall top scorer in FIFA World Cup finals with 16 goals.
DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach added: “Miroslav is not only an outstanding player but also an absolute example. In all the years he always remained humble and down to earth. With his 71 international goals and his 16 World Cup goals he has established two phenomenal records that will secure him a place in the history books” .
“Miroslav Klose is an international star, he is one of the greatest strikers. His qualities such as his aerial power, goal presence, understanding of the game and his tireless commitment are second to none worldwide. And yet, I have so far barely seen a player who is so local, modest, fair, professional, reliable and a team player,” Germany head coach Joachim Loew said.
Klose played eleven years in the Bundesliga. He played for Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich before he joined Italian side Lazio 2011 by putting pen to paper on a three-year deal. He overall scored 207 goals in 527 appearances in club football.