Miroslav Klose equals World Cup scoring record: Ronaldo welcomes German to his 'club'

The German has now scored 15 World Cup goals, level with Brazil striker

Vorsprung durch Klose: Germany’s veteran striker Miroslav Klose does a flying somersault to celebrate his equaliser (Getty Images)

The great Brazilian striker Ronaldo has congratulated Miroslav Klose on equalling his World Cup record of 15 goals, welcoming him into the exclusive "club".

Klose took his tally at the tournament to 15 goals after scoring the equaliser for Germany in their 2-2 draw with Ghana on Saturday night, and also surpassed the legendary Gerd Muller as Germany's leading World Cup goalscorer. Muller had netted 14 goals.

Ronaldo even offered a German translation for the 36-year-old striker, and added: "I can imagine how happy you are. What a nice World Cup!"

German coach Joachim Low. said after the match: "I'm awfully happy for Klose – he was on the pitch for two minutes and scored. He’s had a difficult season, he has been injured. But it’s sensational for me to have this kind of player on the bench knowing they can make a decisive move."

With the goal, Klose also became only the third player to score at four different World Cup finals, after fellow German Uwe Seeler and Brazil great Pele.

Klose reached his 15-goal total after 20 matches at the tournament, one more than Ronaldo (19) managed it in. Klose, however, averages a goal every 101 minutes at the World Cup, a quicker average than Ronaldo (108) and has done it in fewer shots, taking 51 to Ronaldo's 67.