Wire flash
SportsMessi calls Klose, promises signed jersey after breaking World Cup goal record
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
- Automatically published source-backed update
German World Cup champion Miroslav Klose revealed that he received a moving phone call from Lionel Messi during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after Messi surpassed Klose's record for most World Cup goals. Klose, now a coach at 1. FC Nürnberg, disclosed the conversation on his club's talk show. He explained that Argentine national coach Lionel Scaloni, a former teammate of Klose at Lazio Rome, arranged the call. During the conversation, Messi promised to send Klose a signed jersey. Klose praised Messi as a 'brutal phenomenon' and the best footballer of all time. Messi now has 21 World Cup goals, overtaking Klose's 12-year-old record of 16 goals. The two faced each other in the 2014 World Cup final, which Germany won. Klose had previously congratulated Messi via a German newspaper, stating he was happy the record was broken by such a player.
Source report
World Cup revelation! World champion Miro Klose (48) has revealed that he received a very special phone call during the FIFA World Cup – from Lionel Messi (39). The Argentine legend took the title of World Cup all-time top scorer from the German striker at this tournament. Klose's praise: "Messi is a brutal phenomenon!"
Mega-Messi now has 21 World Cup goals to his name after the 3-2 win in the controversial round of 16 match in Atlanta against Egypt. Klose had held the record since 2014 for twelve years. Now Messi (21 goals) and France striker Kylian Mbappé (27) with 19 World Cup goals have overtaken him. England powerhouse Harry Kane (32), who has 14 World Cup goals, is approaching from behind.
What He Promised Him: Moving Messi Phone Call with Klose!
Klose, who is a coach at 1. FC Nürnberg in the 2. Bundesliga, reveals in his club's talk show:
"Argentine national coach Lionel Scaloni was my teammate at Lazio Rome, we are still in regular contact. He arranged a phone call between Messi and me after he equaled my World Cup goal record. That was very moving."
He continues:
"Messi and I have naturally crossed paths on the pitch from time to time, it was always nice and respectful. But the phone call now was the first time we spoke a bit longer away from that. He said he would send me a signed jersey."
Highlight of the Duel
In 2014, Klose was with Germany in the World Cup final in Rio – against Messi and his Argentinians. The DFB won the trophy thanks to Mario Götze's dream goal.
Even after Messi's 17th World Cup goal in the USA, Klose had congratulated him via Süddeutsche Zeitung:
"Lionel Messi is the best footballer of all time for me! Congratulations, champion!"
Klose also explained:
"That's perfectly fine, the record was going to be broken at some point anyway, and then it might as well be Messi. I'm a big fan of Messi, always have been."
Source
BILD - SportWestern
Part of this Story
Messi Hat-Trick Ties World Cup Record in Argentina's 3-0 Win Over Algeria