A player who can’t even get a start with his club, is now on the brink of becoming the most prolific scorer in the history of the World Cup. Louis van Gaal’s youth-oriented team at Bayern Munich may have no place for veteran striker Miroslav Klose, but as he has shown at the this World Cup the Polish-born German can still deliver the goods.
A brace in his 100th international against Argentina in Germany’s thumping 4-0 win over Diego Maradona’s men took his World Cup goals tally to 14, level with German great Gerd Mueller, and just one shy of Brazilian striker Ronaldo.
The 32-year-old Klose is now on the verge of becoming the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history, but his main focus is leading Die Mannshaft to their long-awaited fourth world title..
“I didn’t think about the record beforehand. I just wanted to win the game. I am more interested in what we do as a team. If we end this tournament winning the World Cup that would be far more important than any goals I score,” said Klose.
Klose was at the receiving end of the Phenomenon’s phenomenal goal-scoring ways as it was the Brazilian’s brace that consigned Germany to defeat in the 2002 World Cup final. Now, as he is on the brink of overtaking his record it still seems a bit too surreal for the German.
“I spoke with him after the final and at the time I would not have dreamed of ever coming close to him, needing two more goals to surpass him,” Klose said.
“I hope he’s not too worried. My main goal is to play at Euro 2012.
“I was born in Poland, have relatives there and love the country and the people. It would be nice to play a big tournament there once again,” he said.