Klose Hails Messi as Greatest of All Time After Losing World Cup

Miroslav Klose has praised Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of all time after the Argentine superstar surpassed his long-standing World Cup scoring record.

Messi moved past Klose during Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria national football team in Group J, taking his tally to 18 World Cup goals and becoming the tournament’s outright top scorer. Before the match, both players were tied on 16 goals, but Messi’s brace in Dallas pushed him into a historic lead.

Klose’s 16 goals came across 24 matches between 2002 and 2014 World Cups, where he scored five goals each in 2002 and 2006, four in 2010, and two in 2014. Messi, meanwhile, has reached 18 goals in just 28 World Cup appearances, underlining his extraordinary consistency on the biggest stage.

Now serving as head coach of German club 1. FC Nürnberg, Klose was quick to congratulate his former record-holder. “For me, Messi is the greatest of all time. Congratulations, champion,” he said.

The match itself was another dramatic chapter in Messi’s legacy. He missed an early penalty in front of 70,649 fans but quickly recovered, scoring in the 38th minute from a Facundo Medina assist to put Argentina ahead. That goal also confirmed him as the sole holder of the World Cup scoring record.

In stoppage time, Messi struck again in spectacular fashion, dribbling past multiple defenders inside the box before sealing a 2-0 win and Argentina’s second consecutive victory. The stadium responded with loud chants of his name as Argentina maintained a perfect start in Group J with six points.

Interestingly, Klose had predicted before the tournament that his record could fall. “I think my record might be broken in this World Cup. It’s an expanded tournament, so there are more matches and more chances to score,” he had said, also expressing hope that Messi would be the one to surpass him.

“I would be happy if Messi breaks the record,” Klose added. “I’ve always been a huge fan of his. He is a genius.”

That wish has now come true, as Messi not only set a new World Cup scoring benchmark but also guided Argentina to the top of their group and into the knockout stage with a game to spare.

MMR