Miroslav Klose vs Rudi Völler: Stats Compared
Striker, Germany (born 1978, retired 2016) · Striker, Germany (born 1960, retired 1996)
Miroslav Klose versus Rudi Völler is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Position shapes everything in football, and these two fulfilled very different briefs. Career output puts Miroslav Klose at 318 goals in 705 games, with Rudi Völler at 220 in 480. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Trophy counts give Miroslav Klose 7 and Rudi Völler 3, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2014) and 1× FIFA World Cup (1990) the standout honours respectively. The striker duties of Miroslav Klose leaned predatory; the striker responsibilities of Rudi Völler leaned explosive. Club journeys add another layer, with Miroslav Klose reaching his representative peak around 2014 across Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, Lazio and Rudi Völler doing so around 1990 with Kickers Offenbach, Werder Bremen, Roma, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
157 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
All-time FIFA World Cup top scorer with 16 goals; Germany's all-time leading goalscorer with 71 international goals.
“A selfless striker and aerial specialist whose consistency made him a World Cup great.”
A stylish, quick German striker best remembered for his acrobatic assist to Andreas Brehme's decisive touch and clinical finishing that fired West Germany to the 1990 World Cup.
“A mobile, technically gifted striker with a flair for delicate flicks and precise, first-time finishing.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2014)
- 2× Bundesliga (2008, 2010)
- 3× DFB-Pokal (2005, 2008, 2010)
- 1× Coppa Italia (2013)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1990)
- 1× Coppa Italia (1991)
- 1× Ligue 1 (1993)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2000 Kaiserslautern debut
- 2002 World Cup debut, scored five headed goals
- 2007 Joined Bayern Munich
- 2011 Joined Lazio, won over fans with relentless work rate
- 2014 World Cup winner, became the all-time World Cup top scorer (16 goals)
- 2016 Retired at Lazio
- 1977 Professional debut for Kickers Offenbach
- 1990 Won FIFA World Cup with Roma
- 1993 Won Ligue 1 with Marseille
- 1990 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 1996 Retired after a final spell at Bayer Leverkusen
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 480 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 480 appearances and 3 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Miroslav Klose the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Miroslav Klose edges it (a clear margin)
