12 July,2014 01:43 AM IST | | AFP
The World Cup's top-scorer Miroslav Klose has threatened to abandon his strict fitness regime to become a party animal if Germany win Sunday's final against Argentina
Miroslav Klose. Pic/AFP
Santo Andre: The World Cup's top-scorer Miroslav Klose has threatened to abandon his strict fitness regime to become a "party animal" if Germany win Sunday's final against Argentina.
Miroslav Klose. Pic/AFP
The 36-year-old is the sole survivor from Die Mannschaft's last World Cup final in 2002 and is eager to taste victory at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium in his fourth World Cup finals.
He scored a record 16th World Cup goal, his 71st for Germany, in Tuesday's 7-1 semi-final rout of Brazil. The Poland-born striker is poised to win his 137th cap in Rio and says all his focus is on Argentina - but the World Cup title may stir his inner party animal.
"I can't really guarantee anything, but if we do win the trophy, I can imagine that I will relax and there is a party beast, even in me," he said on Thursday. But 12 years after losing the 2002 final, the last thing the veteran wants is to add Rio heartache to the bitter defeat in Yokohama.
"We enjoyed the win against Brazil, but we ticked it off after 24 hours," said Klose. "In the next game, we have to again play to the best of our abilities. It feels really awful to lose a final, so it's our time to win this one."
Emotional thing
A diligent trainer, Klose puts his career longevity down to his daily fitness regime, and has a gym at home. Having made his debut in 2001, he equalled, then broke Ronaldo's record of 15 World Cup goals during Brazil 2014.
But Klose said it will all count for nothing if Germany lose to Argentina. "It's a hugely emotional thing for me, but people who know me, know that my focus is already on Argentina - 100 percent," he said.
