Klose retires from German national team

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) ― Miroslav Klose, the top scorer in World Cup history, has retired from Germany’s national squad a month after the team won the title for the fourth time.

The 36-year-old Klose scored twice in Brazil, making him the highest-scoring player in the tournament’s history with 16 goals, one ahead of Ronaldo. It was Klose’s fourth World Cup tournament.

With a career total of 71 goals, Klose is also the highest-scoring player for Germany. He is also the second most capped Germany player with 137 games.

“The title in Brazil fulfilled a childhood dream of mine,” Klose said in a statement posted Monday on the German national team’s website. “I am proud and happy that I could contribute to this great success for the German football. There is no better time to close the national team chapter.”

Klose is the second member of the World Cup-winning side to step down after captain Philipp Lahm. While Lahm’s retirement came as a surprise, but Klose’s move was expected. The pair’s retirement will be marked at a ceremony before the Sept. 3 friendly against Argentina, the rival Germany beat 1-0 in the World Cup final. Neither will play, the German federation said.

Germany coach Joachim Loew called Klose a “world star,” and “one of the greatest strikers in football.”

Klose was always Loew’s preferred striker and he was the only true striker in the World Cup squad in Brazil. 


Drogba also done

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) ― Didier Drogba’s decision to retire from international soccer has caught the Ivory Coast federation by surprise.

The federation wants to talk to the 36-year-old striker before giving its “official position” on the end of his career.

Drogba announced his decision Friday after 12 years with his national team, eight as captain.

Drogba has played in all three of Ivory Coast’s World Cup appearances.

The Ivorian federation has delayed a tribute to one of its greatest players. Federation president Sidy Diallo says he wants to “determine the underlying reasons for this decision.”

Drogba scored 65 goals in 104 appearances for Ivory Coast but was unable to lead his country to a major title.