It’s often the mark of a true great starring on the world stage in international football’s biggest tournament. Pele’s done it, Maradona’s done it, and Ronaldo’s done it, this year it was meant to be the year of his namesake alongside Lionel Messi. And whilst Cristiano may have failed to do so, the little Argentinian is still in with a shout of winning the Golden Ball, joining a long list of superstars.
Miroslav Klose is one of those, Germany’s 7-1 demolition of Brazil ensured not only saw the nation conflict their heaviest tournament defeat, but also catapult the 36-year-old Lazio striker to the all-time top scorer in true style.
It seems incredible that he tops such an elite list of names, but the poacher’s 16th in four tournaments means he tops a very accomplished list of players…
Miroslav Klose – 16 Goals
It couldn’t have been any more Klose if he tried, well perhaps he could have scored a header, but in his 136th cap, the German striker tapped home to book his place in history. He’s only one of three players to have scored in four tournaments, joining compatriot Uwe Seeler and the great Pele.
His first came as a young 24-year-old in Japan and Korea, where he headed five goals to finish joint second top scorer. 2006 saw him go one better and finish top of the charts, before continuing his run into 2010 and into this summer.
Ronaldo – 15 Goals
It didn’t matter where Ronaldo played, he scored goals. Combined with his silly haircuts and trademark number 9, the Brazilian scored in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and his homeland with ease, transferring it onto the international stage banging in 62 goals for his country, most importantly in 2002 where he led his side to their last major trophy.
Now testing his nerve as a Pokerstars pro, he was hoping Klose would stuggle this summer, so it seemed apt that he would take over the Brazilian legend when putting his side 2-0 up in their semi-final mauling of the host nation just days ago.
Gerd Muller – 14 Goals
Germany’s greatest ever striker, Gerd Muller holds just about every record going – apart from the ones his compatriot Klose has just taken away from him. He is Bayern Munich’s highest ever scorer as well as having the best goals-to-game ratio in European Cup history.
He scored 68 goals in just 62 games for the German’s picking up the Golden Boot in 1970 and knocking in the winning goal in 1974 in his home ground taking his nation to their second Jules Rimet trophy in front of a home crowd.
Just Fontaine – 13 Goals
Perhaps the most incredible feat of all amongst the list of elite players, Fontaine scored 13 goals on the world’s biggest stage – except he only ever played one tournament.
The Frenchman of course picked up the Golden Boot for his performance, and his record has never been beaten. By the time France’s next tournament came round, the great man had retired due to a recurring injury. It didn’t stop him becoming his country’s fifth top scorer however with 30 goals in just 21 appearances.
Pele – 12 Goals
Touted as the greatest of all time, Pele began his international career at aged just 16 and represented Brazil for the following 14 years, donning the famous yellow shirt in 1958, 1962, 1966, and 1970, in which he only failed to lift the trophy in ’66.
He was a part of the irresistible 1970 team that featured Carlos Alberto, Garrincha, and Jairzinho, and he scored the opening goal in the final against Italy, earning the Golden Ball in what would be the legend’s final farewell to tournament football.