Miroslav Klose

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Klose was born in the Silesian city of Opole, Poland. Both of his parents were professional athletes. His father, Josef Klose, was also a professional footballer who played for Odra Opole before leaving Poland in 1978 to play for French club Auxerre. His mother, Barbara Jeż, was a member of the Poland women's national handball team. Josef Klose belonged to a German minority in Poland, an Aussiedler whose family had remained behind when Silesia was ceded to Poland after World War II. In 1986, then eight-year-old Miroslav joined his father in Kusel, West Germany, knowing only two words of German. Klose developed his footballing skill and passion with local club SG Blaubach-Diedelkopf, which at the time was in the West-German seventh division. He was also an apprentice carpenter.

In Their Own Story

The defining chapter of Klose's World Cup career arrived in Brazil during the 2014 semi-final against the host nation. In a match that showcased German dominance, Klose scored twice, breaking Gerd Müller's domestic record and overtaking Ronaldo's global tally simultaneously. This moment transformed him from a prolific scorer into an all-time icon, securing his place alongside the greatest names in football history. The record-breaking moment occurred specifically during the semi-final against Brazil, where his brace pushed him past Ronaldo's global tally. This statistical dominance highlights his longevity and reliability as a central striker.

Reader's Guide

Starting his career at FC 08 Homburg, Klose played in the Bundesliga for Kaiserslautern before becoming one of the most prolific scorers in the league with Werder Bremen, where he was awarded the German Footballer of the Year in 2006 and also named in the kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season in 2004–05 and 2005–06. His performances saw him move to Bayern Munich in 2007. During his time at Bayern, Klose won the 2007–08 and 2009–10 league titles. In 2011, Klose moved to Serie A club Lazio, where he won the 2012–13 Coppa Italia and eventually finished his playing career in 2016 after five years at the club. Klose was part of the Germany squad that won the 2014 World Cup, having previously finished second (2002) and third (2006, 2010) in the competition; he finished as runner-up with Germany at UEFA Euro 2008 and joint-third place at UEFA Euro 2012. He retired from the national team in August 2014, shortly after Germany's victory at the 2014 World Cup. He is the all-time top scorer for Germany and was the record-holder for most goals scored in the FIFA World Cup (16) for twelve years, before his record was broken by Lionel Messi (21) and Kylian Mbappé (22) in 2026.

Did You Know?

• Klose scored five goals in a single Serie A match for Lazio against Bologna on 5 May 2013, the first time a player had done so in Serie A since the 1984–85 season.
• In a match against Napoli on 26 September 2012, Klose accidentally scored a goal with his hand, but informed the referee and asked that the goal be discounted.
• Klose's father, Josef Klose, played for Odra Opole and later for French club Auxerre.

From Polish Roots to German Icon

Born in Opole, Poland, Miroslav Klose emerged from a deeply athletic family; his father was a professional footballer and his mother represented Poland in handball. Due to his father's status as an ethnic German minority member who moved to West Germany in 1978, young Miroslav relocated at age eight with only two words of German known. He honed his skills in the lower divisions before launching a professional career that would eventually see him represent the nation he adopted. His journey took him from FC Homburg to Kaiserslautern, where he quickly established himself as a lethal finisher, scoring 16 goals in the 2001–02 season and nearly claiming the league's top scorer title. This early success paved the way for his move to Werder Bremen, where he evolved into one of the Bundesliga's most prolific strikers, earning the German Footballer of the Year award in 2006 and securing multiple spots in the league's Team of the Season.

Club Triumphs Across Europe

Klose's club career is defined by significant achievements across three major European leagues. After a transformative stint at Werder Bremen, he joined Bayern Munich in 2007, immediately contributing to a double-winning season that included the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles. He added another league championship in 2010 before moving to Italy's Serie A with Lazio in 2011. His time in Rome was marked by immediate impact; he scored on his debut against Milan and famously secured a dramatic derby victory over Roma with a late goal, despite the controversy surrounding inappropriate fan displays during that match. Klose demonstrated remarkable honesty when he voluntarily admitted to an accidental handball against Napoli, ensuring the goal was discounted. His prolific scoring continued, highlighted by a historic five-goal performance against Bologna in 2013, before he concluded his playing days with Lazio's Coppa Italia victory in 2013.

World Record and National Glory

On the international stage, Miroslav Klose cemented his legacy as Germany's all-time leading goalscorer. His tenure with the national team was characterized by consistent excellence in major tournaments, including runner-up finishes at Euro 2008 and third-place results at both Euro 2012 and the World Cups of 2006 and 2010. The pinnacle of his international career arrived in 2014 when he won the World Cup with Germany. During this period, Klose held the record for the most goals scored in FIFA World Cup history with 16, a title he maintained for twelve years until it was eventually surpassed by Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in 2026. Following the triumphant 2014 victory, he retired from international football in August of that year, leaving behind an unparalleled statistical legacy.

Life Beyond the Pitch

Following his retirement as a player in 2016 after five years with Lazio, Klose transitioned into management, continuing his involvement in professional football. He currently serves as the head coach for 1. FC Nürnberg in Germany's second division, the 2. Bundesliga. This role marks a new chapter for the former striker, who previously worked as an apprentice carpenter during his youth before dedicating himself fully to football. His career trajectory reflects a unique blend of cultural adaptation and sporting excellence, having moved from Poland to West Germany as a child and eventually becoming a global icon. Klose's post-playing life demonstrates his enduring commitment to the sport he mastered, moving from being a record-breaking scorer on the field to guiding young talents as a manager in the German football system.