MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) – World champion football striker Miroslav Klose has announced his retirement, the German Football Association reported Monday.
“Having won the World Cup title in Brazil, I accomplished my childhood dream. I’m proud and happy that I participated in the success of German football. I spent an excellent time on the German team and I will hold a unique memory of that period,” Klose said.
Klose played 137 games for Germany, setting records for overall goals scored for Germany (71) and goals in the World Cup finals (16).
Klose’s career on the German national team started in 2001. Poland’s national team wanted to secure the striker, but Kloze turned down the offer and chose Germany over Poland.
Klose's international debut came on March 24, 2001 in a World Cup qualifier against Albania. The striker came on as a substitute and secured a 2-1 victory for his team with a brilliant header.
During the Germany-Ghana match in this year’s World Cup in Brazil, Klose was introduced as a substitute, with his team down 2-1. Less than two minutes after coming off the bench Klose scored, drawing level with now-retired Brazil striker Ronaldo to become joint record-holder for most goals in the World Cup finals.
In the semi-final against Brazil, the 36-year-old German striker notched his 16th World Cup finals goal, breaking the all-time record for goals scored in the final stages of the competition.
