Miroslav Klose will take to the pitch for Germany in his 100th cap on July 3rd when the team takes on Argentina in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Cape Town. Klose has scored 50 times in his previous 99 games, good for third place on Germany’s all-time scoring list.

While winning the World Cup is definitely Klose’s top priority, he also realizes he’s getting close to the World Cup record for total goals in tournament games. Ronaldo of Brazil holds the record with 15, while Klose is within range at 12, and is level with Brazilian legend Pele. The 32-year-old Klose, who was actually born in Poland, has scored two goals so far in this year’s event.

The striker is playing in his third World Cup and scored five goals in each of the previous two tournaments. He’s the only player in South Africa at the moment who has a realistic shot of equalling Ronaldo’s record at this year’s Cup.

Klose won the golden boot award for most goals at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and he realizes he has a good chance to add to his total in South Africa. He said if he can match his last two finals appearances he’ll catch up with Ronaldo, but it will be a difficult task, especially with Argentina next in line for the Germans.

In recent interviews it appeared Klose was close to retiring from the national team, but he states he’d like to play at the European Championship in the Ukraine and Poland in 2012. He admits this is due to his Polish heritage and because he has relatives living there and his love for the people and the country.

Klose didn’t have the greatest of seasons with Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga this year as he didn’t see a lot of action and managed only three league goals. However, he’s reacquired his scoring touch at just the right time to help Germany go for their fourth World Cup triumph.