Miroslav Klose has revealed that he got a phone call from arguably the best player to ever do it.
Messi took Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record against Austria in the group stages, moving past his 16 and all the way up to 21.
Kylian Mbappe has since sent him down to third, but it was Messi who left Klose the most impressed with a moment of class.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni played with Klose at Lazio, and he revealed the the ex-defender set up the chat.
Currently coach at Nurnberg, he told the club’s website: “I played with him at Lazio. We are still in regular contact.
“He arranged a phone call between Messi and me. That was very moving.
“Of course, we have run into each other on the field occasionally, which has always been pleasant and respectful.
“But that phone call was the first time we had such a long conversation outside of matches.
“He promised to send me a signed shirt.”
Klose earlier responded to Messi breaking his record in an interview with Sueddeutsche.
“I’ve always said Messi is no slouch,” he said ironically.
“For me, Lionel Messi is the best footballer of all time! Congratulations, champion!”
Before the tournament he was asked about the possibility and said: “That’s perfectly fine, the record will be broken eventually anyway, and then Messi is welcome to do it.
“I’m a big fan of Messi, always have been, he is a genius.”
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