Klose bows to Messi: 'The best footballer of all time'

Miroslav Klose, the legendary German striker, has lauded Lionel Messi after the Argentine star broke his long-standing record for the most goals scored in World Cup history. Messi now stands alone at the top with 18 goals, surpassing Klose's previous tally of 16.

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Lionel Messi is for me the best footballer of all time. Congratulations, champion.

In comments to the German media outlet Süddeutsche Zeitung, Klose offered unequivocal praise for the Argentine captain. "Lionel Messi is for me the best footballer of all time. Congratulations, champion," Klose stated. He had held the historic record since the 2026 World Cup, but Messi equaled it with a hat-trick against Algeria earlier in the tournament and then took sole possession of the record with two goals in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria.

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The record was going to be broken sooner or later, and I'm glad it's Messi. I've always been a big admirer of Messi.

The former German international had anticipated that his record might be broken during the current World Cup. He expressed his satisfaction that it was Messi who achieved this milestone. "The record was going to be broken sooner or later, and I'm glad it's Messi. I've always been a big admirer of Messi," Klose remarked, further describing the Argentine superstar as a "genius."

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a genius