Miroslav Klose retires from Germany

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Miroslav Klose, the top scorer in World Cup history, has retired from Germany's national squad a month after the team won the title for the fourth time.

The 36-year-old scored two goals in Brazil, making him the highest-scoring player in the tournament's history with 16, one ahead of Brazil's Ronaldo. With a career total of 71 goals, Klose is also the highest-scoring player for Germany. He is also the second most capped Germany player with 137 games.

"The title in Brazil fulfilled a childhood dream of mine," Klose said in a statement posted on the German national team's website Monday.

"I am proud and happy that I could contribute to this great success for the German football. There is no better time to close the national team chapter," Klose said.

Klose is the second member of the World Cup winning side to step down after captain Philipp Lahm. While Lahm's retirement came as a surprise, Klose's move was expected.

The pair's retirement will be marked at a ceremony before the Sept. 3 friendly against Argentina, the rival Germany beat 1-0 in the World Cup final. Neither will play at their own wish, the German federation said.

Germany coach Joachim Loew praised Klose a "world star," and as "one of the greatest strikers in football."

Born on Poland, Klose moved with his family to Germany at an early age and always played for his adopted homeland.

Klose made his debut as a substitute for Germany in a World Cup qualifier against Albania on March 24, 2001 and scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory.

He played for Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga before moving to Lazio Rome in 2011.

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Per Mertesacker retires from international duty with Germany
• World Cup-winning Arsenal defender ends international career
• Earned 104 caps in 10-year spell in the German national team


Per Mertesacker has ended his international career at the age of 29. The Arsenal centre-back, who won the World Cup in his final game with Germany in Brazil, won 104 caps and scored four goals.

Mertesacker made his international debut in October 2004, against Iran aged just 20, after making an impressive start to the season Hannover’s defence. The 6ft 6in defender follows Germany’s captain in Brazil, Philipp Lahm, and the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer, Miroslav Klose, into retirement since the victory against Argentina.

“Winning the World Cup was the best possible end to 10 years in the national team. I’ve moved aside to let younger players take over. We don’t have to fret about the future, we are better equipped than ever before. I’m happy that I’ve been able to play for so long, happy that people have trusted in me,” said Mertesacker, who then went on to make clear his ambitions at club level.

“I’m still hungry for more titles, but I want to win them with Arsenal – to win the league, perhaps have a go at the Champions League.

“You could see the potential was there, at times. We were top until Christmas. It was there for the taking for a long time. But in the big away games we were too naive, we also couldn’t compensate the injured players. But I have a feeling that we will achieve a lot more. The manager constantly pushes us in the right direction with his experience and calmness. And the club have spent a lot of money to strengthen the squad. Of course, there are four, five other teams who can all win the league. But we’ve got a taste for silverware now, after winning the FA Cup.

“I’m a world champion but you can’t let yourself go because of that. There are new challenges. I’m vice-captain at Arsenal and I know that I have more responsibilities now. I want to achieve big things with the club. Having more time off for your legs and your head is not a bad thing in that respect – especially at my old age.”

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