Miroslav Klose is new World Cup goal king but must enjoy it while it lasts... Thomas Muller looks set to usurp fellow German
- Miroslav Klose beat Ronaldo's World Cup record with goal against Brazil in semi-final in Belo Horizonte
- Klose has now scored 16 goals in World Cup finals
- Thomas Muller now has 10 goals at World Cup finals
- Bayern Munich star is just 24 and could have three more World Cups left to break Klose's record
Miroslav Klose is now the leading World Cup goalscorer in history after netting during Germany's humiliation of Brazil. But the 36-year-old striker had better enjoy the feeling while it lasts, because he might not hold the title for too long.
In fact, Klose might not even be the top-scoring German at World Cups by the end of Russia 2018. Unless the Polish-born hotshot finds the net in Sunday's final, he is unlikely to add to his 16 strikes so far. But Thomas Muller already has that total in his sights.
Germany coach Joachim Low praised Klose after the match but immediately tipped Muller to set a new record. 'It really means a lot to all of us,' said Low. 'This is a record that could be beaten only by Muller.'
VIDEO Scroll down for German fans celebrating their 7-1 victory over Brazil
![Record breaker: Miroslav Klose is the new top goalscorer in World Cup history](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/08/article-0-1F7CB40900000578-142_634x489.jpg)
Record breaker: Miroslav Klose is the new top goalscorer in World Cup history
![Not far behind: Klose's team-mate Tjomas Muller looks ready to beat his goals record](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/1404908412966_wps_1_Germany_s_forward_Thomas_.jpg)
Not far behind: Klose's team-mate Tjomas Muller looks ready to beat his goals record
Muller scored the first goal in the 7-1 victory against the hapless Brazilians to bring his haul to 10 goals in just 12 World Cup games. And all signs seem to point towards Muller breaking his compatriot's record in future.
The Bayern Munich forward is just 24 years old, so could conceivably have three more World Cups left in him should he play on to Klose's age of 36. If he continues his impressive current scoring rate of five goals in every World Cup, Muller could have 25 in finals by the time he hangs up his boots.
Muller also reaps the easy rewards of playing in front of the most powerful midfield in world football. Toni Kroos appears the natural successor to Xavi as the game's most technically gifted playmaker and is the key to Germany's Teutonic tiki-taka, which is strangling the life out of all who dare stand in their path.
Combined with Bastian Schweinsteiger's brains and brawn, plus gifted footballers in Mesut Ozil, Mario Gotze and Sami Khedira among others, Germany look set to dominate international football for the forseeable future.
As Klose has proved there really is no better gig in football than playing up front for Germany in major tournaments. There are five Germans in the top 10 goalscorers in World Cups.
Klose set his goals record by overtaking Ronaldo - the original one - who is among the most skilful and deadly strikers ever to have graced the game. Yet Klose has still managed to surpass his tally thanks to Germany's stunning consistency in major tournaments and a lack of injury problems.
Despite their huge strength in other areas of the pitch, there are also few rivals for Muller's position in Germany's team.
The talented but raw Andre Schurrle has provided a sharper cutting edge than Muller when coming on from the bench and has three goals despite limited game time in Brazil. Otherwise only Klose, who is enjoying a last hurrah in his career, and the limited Lukas Podolski provide scant competition for the striker’s spot.
![Start of the rout: Muller took advantage of awful Brazil defending to score Germany's opening goal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685962-1F7C915200000578-592_634x423.jpg)
Start of the rout: Muller took advantage of awful Brazil defending to score Germany's opening goal
The list of superior forwards from other countries who are being eclipsed by Klose and now Muller also makes for remarkable reading. To Ronaldo add the two greatest players of all time, Pele and Diego Maradona, and the top two currently playing the game, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Then add Gabriel Batistuta, Ferenc Puskas, Gary Lineker, Eusebio, Christian Vieri, David Villa, Roberto Baggio, Davor Suker, Sandor Kocsis, Romario, Thierry Henry... the list goes on and on.
Yet Klose tops the lot, and Muller could one day usurp his fellow countryman as the World Cup’s goal king. Oh to be a German striker...
![Legend: Brazil's Ronaldo](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685962-04CDAEAD0000044D-73_306x423.jpg)
![One of the greats: Lionel Messi](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685962-1F4F9BBE00000578-322_306x423.jpg)
Legends: But Ronaldo (left) and Lionel Messi are among the greats who can't compete with Klose's record
RECORD-BREAKING KLOSE: ALL THE GERMANY STAR'S 16 WORLD CUP GOALS IN PICTURES
![Debut: Klose celebrates his first World Cup goal against Saudi Arabia in 2002](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685166-0051604300000258-839_634x575.jpg)
Debut: Klose celebrates his first World Cup goal against Saudi Arabia in 2002
![Powered home: And he scored his second in the same game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685166-005161F000000258-617_634x463.jpg)
Powered home: And he scored his second in the same game
![Hat trick goal: And he celebrates after netting his third of the day](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685166-0051774D00000258-170_634x432.jpg)
Hat trick goal: And he celebrates after netting his third of the day
![Netted: Klose scores his fourth World Cup goal against Ireland in 2002](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685166-00519E3200000258-632_634x406.jpg)
Netted: Klose scores his fourth World Cup goal against Ireland in 2002
![Nodder: Klose peels away after scoring against Cameroon during the 2002 World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/06/21/article-2664659-0051E9A700000258-936_634x424.jpg)
Nodder: Klose peels away after scoring against Cameroon during the 2002 World Cup
![Hitting the back of the net: Klose celebrates scoring his sides second goal against Costa Rica in 2006](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685166-1F7F0FD900000578-179_634x480.jpg)
Hitting the back of the net: Klose celebrates scoring his sides second goal against Costa Rica in 2006
![Reeling away: Klose celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Costa Rica in their opening 2006 World Cup game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685166-04BBD10A0000044D-86_634x434.jpg)
Reeling away: Klose celebrates scoring against Costa Rica in their opening 2006 World Cup game
![Strike: Klose scoring his third goal of the 2006 World Cup against Ecuador](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685166-04D1737A0000044D-205_634x393.jpg)
Strike: Klose scoring his third goal of the 2006 World Cup against Ecuador
![Brace: Klose celebrates his second against Ecuador in their final Group A game in 2006](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685166-04D191B30000044D-439_634x538.jpg)
Brace: Klose celebrates his second against Ecuador in their final Group A game in 2006
![Nutter: The forward leaping to head the equaliser against Argentina in the 2006 quarter-final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/06/21/article-2664659-04E6C6320000044D-348_634x425.jpg)
Nutter: The forward leaping to head the equaliser against Argentina in the 2006 quarter-final
![Third tourney: Klose celebrates his 11th World Cup goal in their opening game against Australia in 2010](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685166-0A0554E6000005DC-555_634x415.jpg)
Third tourney: Klose celebrates his 11th World Cup goal in their opening game against Australia in 2010
![Slipped in: Klose scoring the opener of a 4-1 victory against England in the last-16 in 2010](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/06/21/article-2664659-0A3A2962000005DC-126_634x364.jpg)
Slipped in: Klose scoring the opener of a 4-1 victory against England in the last-16 in 2010
![Scourge: Klose nets his first of two in the 4-0 win over Argentina in the 2010 quarter-final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685166-0A4FCEED000005DC-902_634x445.jpg)
Scourge: Klose nets his first of two in the 4-0 win over Argentina in the 2010 quarter-final
![Rout: And Klose scored again in the game to make it 4-0](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/09/article-2685166-0A500E8F000005DC-938_634x467.jpg)
Rout: And Klose scored again in the game to make it 4-0
![Finisher: The German forward scored his 15th goal in finals in the 2-2 draw with Ghana](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/06/21/article-2664659-1F002A9100000578-532_634x403.jpg)
Finisher: The German forward scored his 15th goal in finals in the 2-2 draw with Ghana
![Historic: The strike that made hm the record holder](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/08/article-2685166-1F7CBCAC00000578-599_634x286.jpg)
Historic: The strike that made hm the record holder
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