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Germany star Miroslav Klose retires from international football

Miroslav Klose

Miroslav Klose

Germany striker Miroslav Klose has officially announced his retirement from international football on Monday.

“I have fulfilled a childhood dream with the title in Brazil. I’m proud and happy, that I could contribute to the huge achivement for German football,” Klose told in an official release published by the German FA (DFB). “I had a unparalleled, wonderful time and many unforgettable moments with the national team. I have used the last few weeks to recollect these moments and to enjoy them. There is no better moment for me to end my chapter with the national team.”

The 36-year-old made his debut for the German national team in a match against Albania on March 24, 2001, when Klose came on as a late substitute and secured the “Mannschaft” a 2-1 with a goal in the 88th minute.

Klose has been capped 137 times in his 13 years with the national team, while scoring 71 goals. Klose, who scored his first FIFA World Cup goals against Saudi Arabia in 2002, has immortalised his name to the history book, when he overtook Brazilian striker Ronaldo as the tournament’s all-time top scorer. He is also the all-time top scorer for the German national team ahead of legendary Gerd Müller who scored 68 goals for the country.

“The success of the team has been always the most important to me and it still stays at the top. I have reached the biggest goal with the national team, a goal which all of as had as a team. I have also reached the goals I set for me personally. People who know me, are aware that I’m very ambitious. I’m a striker – and the job of a striker is to score goals. That was always my aim – not to break record. It’S all about to give your best for the team. I depend on my fellow players as a striker. So I would like to thank all my colleague from the national team. I would have been never so successful without their passes.”

“I would like to thank the DFB, its president, all members of the team behind the team, the fans of the ‘Mannschaft’ and of course the three national team coaches whom I worked with in 13 year. Especially Joachim Löw, who always trusted in me,” Klose added.