Fourth time lucky for record-breaker Klose

Although I was pleased with my decision to choose the BBC’s coverage over ITV’s, there was one glaring omission from their post-match analysis. Whilst Gary Lineker focused upon plugging the brilliantly-named ‘Rio in Rio’ show that’s airing tonight and saying an emotional goodbye to Alan Hansen, I was a little disappointed by his failure to give a real star of this World Cup a similarly significant send-off: Miroslav Klose.

The World Cup’s all-time leading goal-scorer (presumably) signed-off from international football in fitting style, making way for match-winner Mario Gotze in the 88^th minute before lifting the trophy on the greatest stage of all. Having finished runner-up in 2002 and in third-place twice, there are few footballers in the history of the competition so deserving of a winner’s medal.

Miroslav Klose: World Cup winner at the fourth time of asking

Which is why it was a shame to see the BBC fail to acknowledge one of the finest goal-scorers of his generation. There is a lot to be said for the idea that Klose doesn’t deserve to be raised up to the levels of World Cup legends such as Pele, Maradona or even Ronaldo, the man whose record Klose broke with his strike in the semi-final demolition of – fittingly - Brazil.

These figures are so revered for qualities that Klose simply doesn’t possess – the ability to raise the volume within a stadium simply by receiving the ball. Germany’s all-time leading scorer will never be considered on the same level as these men, and perhaps fairly so. But football is a simple game, with its most basic objective being to put the ball in the back of the net. No other player has done it on football’s biggest stage as often as Miroslav Klose.

What Klose does possess is longevity, a quality that allows him to write himself in the annals of football history in a different way to these players. At 36, he continues to find himself in dangerous positions, not relying upon pace or luck but an innate knowledge of the game. In Britain we have seen players such as Michael Owen be beaten into retirement by age and injury, whilst arguably our greatest goal-scorer, Alan Shearer, had to retire from international football to maintain an acceptable level of performance.

Klose suffers no such problems. Throughout last season, he made 28 appearances for Lazio, his body able to cope with the demands of European and international football on top of his domestic duties. The Polish-born forward was a relative late-bloomer in football terms, not making his professional debut until he was twenty-years-old in 1998. However, 661 appearances and 277 goals later Klose finds himself firmly in the folklore of German football – alongside and even above the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller and Lothar Matthaus.

His is also a career that has been forged with consistent professionalism. While the careers of some are tainted by scandal or disgrace, Klose has become known for his principled approach to the game, even admitting to using his hand to score for Lazio against Napoli two years ago. There are other, more celebrated figures among football’s legends that cannot boast the same character.

This class was in evidence last night. Once Philipp Lahm lifted the trophy, Klose celebrated quietly with his family, keeping a dignified silence about his future. Last night was about the team and the triumph of a young German side, not his potential retirement.

"I do not know yet if I will carry on with the national team," he said. "I'll take a couple of nights to sleep on it and then make the right decision."

As the BBC and the world focused upon the future – Russia 2018 and Germany’s potential domination – one could forgive Klose for allowing himself a moment of reflection. Finally, he was able to put to bed the ghosts of 2002 and enjoy the crowning glory of what has been a glittering career.

The likes of Pele and Maradona could excite a stadium, but in the end nothing gets the fans on their feet quite like putting the ball in the back of the net. And few have been able to do that quite like Miroslav Klose.