(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) German footballer and all-time FIFA World Cup goalscorer Miroslav Klose announced his retirement from international duty on Monday.
"With the title in Brazil, a childhood dream came true. There is no better way for me to end my time with the German team than by winning the World Cup," the 36-year-old, who currently plays for Italian Serie A outfit Lazio, said in an interview with the German football association (DFB) website.
Explaining the decision to hang up his boots, he added, "the team's success always came first for me. We have reached the objective that we set. I am proud and happy that I was able to help shape this great success for German football.
"(It was) a unique and wonderful time and so many unforgettable moments with Die Nationalmannschaft," he added.
Klose put an end to an international career spanning more than 13 years, where he scored 71 goals in 137 appearances for his country.
The striker broke Brazilian Ronaldo's top scorer record in the recent Brazil World Cup by scoring his 15th and 16th goals.
Germany head coach Joachim Low paid tribute to Klose, saying he was grateful for the chance to have worked alongside the striker, and describing him as a "top professional." Klose is "someone you can always rely on, an international star and one of the greatest strikers," he said.
Klose made his international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Albania in 2001, a match in which he headed the winner for the Germans in a 2-1 win. Since then, he has played in four World Cups.
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