Ronaldo quick to congratulate Klose for equalling record

Published June 22, 2014
Ronaldo in 2006. -Photo by AFP
Ronaldo in 2006. -Photo by AFP

Brazilian legend Ronaldo has been quick to congratulate Miroslav Klose after the German scored against Ghana to equal his record of 15 World Cup goals.

The 36-year-old Klose - appearing in his fourth World Cup finals - slid in at the far post to equalise in the 71st minute.

The classic strike earned Germany a 2-2 draw - and put Klose in the history books alongside Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, 37, was quick to offer his congratulations, having scored his 15th World Cup goal at Germany 2006 before retiring. “Welcome to the club. I can only imagine your happiness!!! What a great World Cup!!!” he wrote on his Twitter account in German and English.

Klose had sat out Germany's 4-0 thumping of Portugal on Monday when Thomas Mueller claimed a hat-trick in his place, but the veteran came off the bench against Ghana.

“You really want to come in when the team is winning,” admitted Klose.

“If a team like Ghana gathers momentum, it is of course difficult.

“It was much warmer than the Portugal game, and it was very intense.

“It doesn't matter whether I play from the start or come off the bench: all games are important and 15 goals in 20 World Cup games isn't bad.”

Klose claimed a goal record even before flying to Brazil when he became Germany's all-time top scorer and his goal against Ghana extended his tally to 70 goals in 133 internationals.

He bettered the previous German record set by Gerd Mueller, who scored the winner in the 1974 World Cup final to claim his 68th goal in 62 appearances for West Germany.

Klose was the top-scorer at the 2006 World Cup in Germany with five goals, having finished second with another five at the 2002 tournament, while he scored four in South Africa four years ago. His longevity - he has been a constant presence since making his debut in 2001 - is remarkable and saw him celebrate his 36th birthday the day the Germans arrived at their World Cup base.

“I'm incredibly pleased for him, that is another high point in his unparalleled career,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said Saturday after Klose's latest milestone.

“It has not been an easy season for him, but he has done it again and got himself in top shape for a tournament.

“For a coach it is of course great to have options like him on the bench.” Klose has said next year will be his last in the famous white shirt of Germany.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Hybrid’ talk
22 Jun, 2025

‘Hybrid’ talk

IN the past, while most elected governments would at least publicly bristle at the mention of being partners in ...
Farcical nomination
Updated 22 Jun, 2025

Farcical nomination

Many citizens have expressed dismay and embarrassment over this symbolic capitulation to the US presidency.
Sunken dreams
22 Jun, 2025

Sunken dreams

THE heartrending fate of people escaping conflict, deprivation and instability across the globe is among the...
Tax tussles
Updated 21 Jun, 2025

Tax tussles

Lawmakers should try and fix the broken tax system rather than advocating for new amnesties.
Seniority crisis
21 Jun, 2025

Seniority crisis

THE Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court has determined that there is nothing wrong with Pakistan’s president...
Monsoon readiness
21 Jun, 2025

Monsoon readiness

OUR cities are once again staring down the very real prospect of waterlogged streets and stalled life with PMD’s...