Miroslav Klose aims for World Cup swansong
Germany striker Miroslav Klose has said that he is looking to play in his fourth World Cup finals competition to bring an end to his international career, in an interview to be published this week.
Germany striker Miroslav Klose has said that he is looking to play in his fourth World Cup finals competition to bring an end to his international career, in an interview to be published this week.
"If I keep my health and continue to be effective, the 2014 World Cup will be the end of the career in the national team," he was quoted as saying in the weekly Sport Bild, which is due out on Wednesday.
"My health and my physical strength will determine whether I'll continue to play at club level," the 34-year-old added.
Klose is Germany's second leading goal-scorer with 64 -- four short of Gerd Mueller's all-time record for the Mannschaft -- and he can count on the support of coach Joachim Loew to fulfil his predictions.
"I am still counting on Miroslav Klose in the next two years. When he is in his stride, he still ranks among the best attackers in the world," Loew told a news conference in Frankfurt on Monday, two days before Germany's friendly with Argentina.
"I don't see age being a bar with him," he added, pointing out his strong performances during Euro 2012.