Lionel Messi continues to rewrite the history of world football. With his stellar performance in the victory of the Argentine National Team against Algeria in the debut of the 2026 World Cup, the albiceleste captain has once again approached a mark that seemed reserved for very few: the highest scorer in the history of the World Cups.
The Rosario native reached 16 World Cup goals and is just one goal away from surpassing one of the great legends of German football: Miroslav Klose, who for years held the title of the top scorer in the highest international competition. At 39 years old and in the sixth World Cup of his career, Messi continues to demonstrate that his legacy keeps growing.
Who is Miroslav Klose?
Miroslav Klose was born on June 9, 1978, in Opole, a city located in southern Poland. When he was just eight years old, he emigrated with his family to Germany, escaping the economic and political difficulties that his homeland faced during the communist regime.
His story is deeply linked to sports. His father, Jozef Klose, was a professional footballer, while his mother, Barbara Jez, was part of the Polish handball team. However, before fully dedicating himself to football, he had to fulfill a condition imposed by his parents: to obtain a professional education.
Therefore, before becoming an international star, Klose worked as a carpenter and cabinetmaker. Between the ages of 17 and 21, he alternated training with work in wood workshops, an experience he would later remember with pride.
His football breakthrough came relatively late. While playing in the youth categories of FC Homburg, a scout from Kaiserslautern discovered his potential and opened the doors to the Bundesliga for him.
