Thomas Muller Targets Miroslav Klose's World Cup Goalscoring Record

Germany forward Thomas Muller has set his sights on Miroslav Klose's World Cup record and believes that he still has two tournaments left in him.

Muller, 25, was presented on Monday with the Silver Ball and Silver Boot for his performances at the 2014 World Cup after contributing five goals as Germany went on to win their first international title since the 1996 European Championships.

The Bayern Munich star finished second in the goalscoring charts behind Colombia's James Rodriguez, who found the back of the net six times, while Muller was also named second best player of the tournament behind Argentina's Lionel Messi.

 

Muller hopes to eclipse the record 16-goal World Cup tally set by his fellow World Cup winner Klose.

"Those are two special accolades, indeed. Even though it's only the second place. But at a World Cup you try to give it your all for your country.

And that's why I am delighted," Muller told kicker. "I am very pleased with the World Cup. I contributed my share, just liked I wanted to."

Muller won the Golden Boot in South Africa in 2010, when he also scored five goals. But this time the same number was not enough, with Rodriguez scoring six in only five games.

"I did not expect to play such a good role in the race for the Golden Boot again," Muller added. "It's pretty unusual to achieve that again. But this time someone scored six goals."

The Bayern Munich man has now scored 10 goals at two World Cups, and has been tipped to break Germany legend Klose's all-time record of 16 goals on the biggest international stage.

"Theoretically, I could play two more World Cups. But I can't just automatically assume that I'm going to score five at every tournament," he said about the potential record. "It'd be nice to achieve it, but let's wait and see."

In the Bundesliga, Muller has scored 60 goals in 171 appearance, but while he has taken his season tally into double figures in all but one season, he has never been a contender for the Torjagerkanone -- the title for the league's top scorer.

"I don't think that I'll ever achieve that, because I have to play more than seven games. I think that the World Cup modus fits me best," Muller concluded.