So it was fitting that the clinical Germany forward became the leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history on Tuesday with an instinctive finish at the end of an incisive move against tournament hosts Brazil in the semi-finals.
Klose's first-half strike took his tally to 16 goals in World Cup finals and ensured he surpassed legendary former Brazil striker Ronaldo's total of 15.
The Lazio veteran, who is also the leading all-time goalscorer for his country, is in the twilight of his career at the age of 36, but has not lost his predatory streak in the final third.
Ronaldo joked that he hoped a curse would be placed upon Klose in the tournament in his homeland, but the 2014 showpiece spelled the end of the three-time World Player of the Year's record.
He surpassed the iconic Gerd Muller to become Germany's overall all-time leading marksman in his nation's pre-tournament rout of Albania, before then overtaking Muller and drawing level with Ronaldo in World Cup finals goals by coming off the bench to equalise against Ghana with his first touch after just two minutes.
"I don't like speaking about records, but anyone who knows me knows that this is an important goal of mine," he said.
"The team will always comes first but I realise it would be special.
"The record is something that keeps me going at this level - it would mean the world to me."
