Klose congratulates Messi: 'He is the best footballer of all time'

Miroslav Klose, a legendary figure for the German national team, has congratulated Lionel Messi on breaking his record as the all-time leading scorer in the World Cup. Klose lauded the Argentine star, calling him the "best footballer of all time" and a "genius."

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

Messi surpassed Klose's previous record of 16 World Cup goals during Argentina's 2-0 victory against Austria. He scored twice in the match, bringing his total to 18 goals in the tournament. Earlier in the competition, Messi had scored three goals against Algeria, equaling Klose's tally.

Klose, who held the record until the current 2026 edition, had previously expressed his acceptance of his record being broken. In an interview five days prior, he anticipated his record's fall in this World Cup. "It's perfectly fine. The record was going to be broken sooner or later, and I'm glad it's Messi doing it. I'm a big admirer of Messi, I always have been," Klose stated.

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

He further elaborated on his admiration for the Argentine attacker, describing him as a "genius."

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the attacker is 'a genius'.