Miroslav Klose Top Scorer 2002
Germany's all-time top scorer and World Cup record holder.
Miroslav Klose is a German former striker and current manager, best known for his prolific goal-scoring in the Bundesliga and for Germany. He is the all-time top scorer for Germany and held the record for most goals in the FIFA World Cup (16) until 2026.
Quick Facts
- Player
- Miroslav Klose
- Season
- 2004-2005
- Achievement
- Key Striker for Werder Bremen
- Goals scored
- 20 (all competitions)
- Club role
- Starting Striker
- Status
- Retired Legend
Lore & Background
Klose was born in Opole, Poland, and moved to West Germany at age eight. He began his professional career at FC 08 Homburg before moving to 1. FC Kaiserslautern. He later played for Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, and Lazio. He won the 2006 German Footballer of the Year and was named in the kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season in 2004–05 and 2005–06. He won the 2014 World Cup with Germany and finished as runner-up at UEFA Euro 2008.
Reader's Guide
Klose played as a striker. He scored 16 goals in the 2001–02 Bundesliga season, two shy of becoming top scorer. He scored five goals in a single Serie A match for Lazio in 2013. He retired from playing in 2016 and later became a manager, currently head coach of 1. FC Nürnberg.
Did You Know?
- He held the record for most goals in the FIFA World Cup (16) for twelve years, until broken by Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in 2026.
- He scored five goals in a single Serie A match for Lazio against Bologna in 2013, the first time that feat was achieved since the 1984–85 season.
- Ulf Kirsten won the Torjägerkanone three times while at Bayer Leverkusen (1992–1993, 1996–1997, 1997–1998).
More in Honours, Records & The 'Almost' Legacy
Elsewhere in Bayer Leverkusen
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced