FIFA World Cup: Klose accepts the inevitable as Messi, Mbappe eye his record
Klose currently holds FIFA World Cup’s long-standing record of 16 goals at the finals, but he admits either Messi or Mbappe will break it.
Germany legend Miroslav Klose has accepted the inevitable as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe eye his FIFA World Cup goalscoring record.
Klose, a World Cup winner with Germany in 2014, currently holds the record for most goals scored by an individual at the global showpiece.
He retired having scored 16 goals across four different World Cup finals he participated in with Germany.
His first World Cup appearance was in 2002, and it was followed by the 2006, 2010 and 2014 editions.
Now, both Messi and Mbappe head into this year’s global showpiece sitting on 13 and 12 goals respectively, and Klose admits either of two will soon break his record.
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FIFA WORLD CUP: KLOSE ADMITS EITHER MESSI OR MBAPPE WILL BREAK HIS RECORD
“I’m sure my World Cup goalscoring record will be broken soon. Either Lionel Messi does it at this World Cup, or at the latest, Kylian Mbappé at the next one,” said Klose to Bild as per beIN Sports.
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ARGENTINA AND FRANCE KEPT APART
Messi’s Argentina and Mbappe’s France were kept apart when the FIFA World Cup draw was conducted in early December.
The defending champions are in Group J alongside Austria, Algeria and Jordan, and they are strong favourites to advance.
Meanwhile, France are in Group I, and they will face Senegal, Norway and a team that will be confirmed after the playoffs in March.
The duo – Messi and Mbappe – will hope to remain injury free in the remaining five months in order to make it to the finals in Mexico, Canada and the US.