’He said he’d send me a signed jersey’: Klose reveals emotional phone call with Messi after losing World Cup goal record

– Miroslav Klose has never been one for sentimentality. A World Cup winner with 16 tournament goals to his name, the German legend spent a decade atop the mountain as football’s greatest World Cup scorer. But when Lionel Messi finally surpassed his record at the 2026 World Cup, Klose didn’t just congratulate him publicly—he received a personal phone call that left him genuinely moved.

In an interview with French newspaper L’Équipe, the 48-year-old, now in his second year as manager of German second-division side FC Nürnberg, revealed the touching backstory behind the conversation.

The Scaloni Connection

The unlikely link between the two legends came through Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, who was Klose’s teammate at Lazio between 2011 and 2013. The two have remained in regular contact ever since.

“Scaloni was my teammate and we still keep in touch regularly,” Klose explained. “He arranged a call between Messi and me after he matched my World Cup scoring record. It was very emotional”.

The call took place early in the tournament, after Messi had equalled Klose’s mark of 16 goals with a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opener. The Argentine has since extended that tally to 21 goals across six World Cups, five clear of Klose’s total.

From Pitch Rivals to Phone Friends

Klose and Messi had crossed paths on the pitch numerous times over the years—most notably in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final and the 2014 final, which Germany won 1-0 in extra time. But those encounters, while always respectful, never allowed for a proper conversation.

“Of course, we have crossed paths on the pitch every now and then, which was always nice and respectful,” Klose recalled. “But this phone call was the first time we spoke with each other for a bit longer outside of that”.

A Promise and a Jersey

During their conversation, Messi made a gesture that clearly resonated with the German.

“He told me he would send me a signed jersey,” Klose said, unable to hide his smile.

‘The Record Would Have Gone Anyway’

Klose, who scored his 16 goals across four World Cups between 2002 and 2014, has shown nothing but class since losing his crown. When Messi surpassed him with a brace against Austria, Klose was among the first to offer congratulations.

“For me, Lionel Messi is the best footballer of all time. Congratulations, champion!” he said at the time.

He later added: “It’s completely fine. The record would have been broken anyway at some point. I’m a huge fan of Messi, I always have been”.

As the 2026 World Cup heads into its decisive phase, Messi’s pursuit of a second consecutive title continues. But for Klose, the record was never really his to keep—only to hold until the greatest came along.