Miroslav Klose - The Goal Merchant

Miroslav Klose (36), of Germany has achieved the record, as the highest goal scorer in the history of the World Cup tournaments, after scoring his 16th goal in his country's 7 - 1 dismantling of Brazil in the semi-final encounter, at the Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.

Up until this tournament in Brazil, the legend Brazilian striker Ronaldo was the highest World Cup goal scorer at 15 goals.

Klose came to this World Cup having scored 14 goals in previous three tournaments, and needed to score one to equal that of Ronaldo. He did that in the group phase match against Ghana.

Miroslav Klose celebrating his record achievement

He scored one of their 2 - 2 draws goals in that match. And that goal put him at par with Ronaldo's 15 goals, but that was not enough for the goal scoring machine.

He had to surpass Ronaldo and be on top of World Cup goal scorers. The very gifted striker, with high sensitivity for goals, scored the German second goal in the semi-final, which took his goal-tally to 16.

The Polish born German Klose, is the highest goal scorer in Germany with 71 goals, in 136 appearances for the national team (Die Mannschaft).
He is only the third person to score in four different World Cups.

The other two players who scored in four World Cup were the Brazilian legend - Pele and the German Uwe Seeler, both in 1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Gary Lineker, the former Tottenham and England striker, said about the amazing feat achieved by Klose,

''Klose is not a Ronaldo, or a Pele or that kind of footballer. He is a poacher but to break that record is a phenomenal achievement.''

The former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said,
''He does not excite you outside the box but he is a pure goalscorer. When the ball comes into the box, he comes alive.''

His coach Joachim Loew, said that they were all happy and that he deserved the record, because at his age he is still playing at the highest level.

''Miro is incredible. To set the record and to do it in Brazil is a great performance. It really means a lot to all of us. This is a record.

''This is a record that could be beaten only by Thomas Mueller. We believe that he deserves it. Because at his age, he is still playing at the highest possible level,''  Mr Loew added.

Miroslav Klose was very very happy that he was able to achieve such a record. When asked why he did not do his usual flipping after scoring a goal he said that he was hit on his left foot as he was attempting a shot.

''I got hit in my left foot while attempting a shot and I was not able to do the flip.'' Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com