"Unmatched Agility: The Extraordinary Football Journey of Lukas Podolski"
A fellow named Lukas Podolski, hailing from Germany, hasn't experienced something unusual.
By Ben Redelings /Facebook* / Twitter / Whatsapp / E-Mail / Print / Copy Link**
Twenty years ago, Lukas Podolski embarked on his football career with 1. FC Köln, winning over German football fans with his free-spirited and cordial demeanor. Today, this World Cup-winning and language award-winning athlete turns 40.
Brazilian football legend Pelé praised Podolski, stating, "Besides Ballack, he's the only one who could play in the Brazilian national team." And former striker Jupp Heynckes had nothing but praise for him: "If I had a left foot like Lukas Podolski, I wouldn't have scored 220 Bundesliga goals, but 500." To this day, the national player continues to score goals, all while adhering to his favorite motto: "Football is simple: put the thing in - and go home."
On the 16th matchday of the 2003/2004 season, the young star of 1. FC Köln was introduced to a larger audience. After the game against Hansa Rostock, Podolski offered an unforgettable interview to Premiere reporter Christian Sprenger: "The first goal of the young man next to me. Congratulations on that, you can't really complain in the fourth game, can you?" Podolski: "Yeah, but, of course, the win was missing, yeah! When you're that close, you want to win too, yeah!" Sprenger: "Why didn't it ultimately work out? Because of the penalty? Did a bit of unrest arise?" Podolski: "Yeah, I think first you have the penalty and then you get the goal against - that's obviously shit, yeah! You have to watch out for that."
Lattek Pokes Fun at Podolski
Just three days after the TV interview, the tram driver Podolski, then unassumingly waiting at the training ground, calmly smiled at a journalist observing him as the players of 1. FC Köln left in luxury company cars from a local car brand. The young Bundesliga goal scorer remained and grinned: "One day I might get one of those too." At that time, everyone at the Geißbockheim knew that this day was not far off.
"FC is always my club and will always remain so," "Prinz Poldi," as the tabloids had nicknamed him at the start of his career, said when he moved to FC Bayern Munich. When he finally returned, Franz Beckenbauer quipped: "He just has to make sure they don't tear down the city in Cologne, although the houses are already falling down..." At that time, the Historical City Archive had collapsed under unfortunate circumstances.
In the cathedral city, Podolski always enjoyed all the privileges that a star can demand. This led former master coach and TV talker Udo Lattek to the following humorous remark: "How do you know it's Thursday in Cologne? Lukas Podolski comes to training for the first time in the week."
Podolski vs Argentina
Lukas Podolski was no stranger to adversity throughout his career. He knew how to defend himself against life's difficulties and even his own teammates. In 2009, he pushed his captain in the national team, Michael Ballack, during a match in front of running cameras. And verbally, Podolski always had the confidence to stand up to the opponent. While some of his teammates were still arguing with the defeated Argentinians on the field after the quarter-final victory in the 2006 World Cup, Podolski was already smiling on the sidelines: "I don't care if they're bad losers. They're going home now."
Four years later, Podolski didn't just let it rest with his words after another game against Argentina. After the defeat, he arguement with a journalist and wanted to settle the matter outside. Again and again, Podolski called out: "Come on! Come on! Come out!" Fortunately, there were enough helping hands to bring the national player out of the danger zone. Because Lukas Podolski can also be a real hothead, as Harald Strutz, the president of Mainz 05, also noticed and criticized: "Poldi reminds me of Boris Becker at his worst times. Becker also always got out of rhythm when he complained too much and threw his racket. Then he also always lost."
You may know Lukas Podolski best as an energetic, playful man who enjoys practical jokes and amusing pronouncements. When he once took a nearly life-sized action photo of himself from the wall in the Munich locker room and put it in his pocket, Podolski laughed: "I come from Poland, they steal everything." Maybe the photo was just a way to make up for one of the most bizarre moments Podolski ever had to endure. In a conversation in the 2006/07 season, the then Bayern coach Felix Magath told him: "Lukas, you're running wrong." Then the coach stirred his tea thoughtfully and was silent for minutes. Finally, he said thoughtfully: "Lukas, you're running wrong." When Podolski asked what he could do better, Magath sent him out of the room. Magath called after him: "Lukas, you're just running wrong." Podolski just kept running as usual afterwards. And it didn't seem to bother him.
It's worth noting that, at just 20 years old, Podolski already had an incredible record. He had scored the "Goal of the Month" eight times at this point. Years later, his Cologne teammate Christian Clemens also won the award for a goal, and Podolski said to Clemens with a mischievous grin: "I've already congratulated him on his first Goal of the Month. Now he just needs ten more to catch up with me." But even this joke didn't last long.
A Remarkable Record
In December 2022, 37-year-old Lukas Podolski scored a goal from over fifty meters away for his club Gornik Zabrze, winning the "Goal of the Month" award for the 13th time. An incredible record, as the runner-up, Jürgen Klinsmann, has only seven such goals. And there may be more to come, since Podolski recently extended his contract in Poland until June 2026, stating he will end his career there. That would mean he has spent nearly twenty-three years as a professional footballer. An awe-inspiring and simply impressive number!
Reiner Calmund's prophecy, "Lukas Podolski is a muscle-bound player with a shot like a horse, and he's a friendly, easy-going guy who loves harmony and peace. Lukas won't become a heavyweight, but perhaps a cozy, chubby one," may be tested in time. It's hard to imagine, given his ever-active and agile nature. Another thing often overlooked about Lukas Podolski is his insightful and notable quotes about football. His famous line, "That's football. Sometimes the better team wins," was even named "Football Quote of the Year" by the "German Academy for Football Culture" in 2006. His other gems, "I don't think before the goal - I never do," and "Dribbling alone? Forget it!", have also entered the vocabulary of many amateur players. And Podolski's football motto, "I don't need to talk nonsense. I just put it in the net," will likely stand the test of time. Happy 40th birthday, dear Lukas Podolski!
Enrichment Data:- Overall: While there are limited specific anecdotes about Lukas Podolski's career in the search results, here are some notable points and a quote associated with him: * Notable Quote: - "Football is like chess, only without the dice." This quote highlights Podolski's strategic view of the game. It was reported by Goal and included in a list of great football quotes[2]. * Career Highlights: - Transition and Retirement Prank: Lukas Podolski is known for announcing his retirement as a prank before clarifying his intentions. This playful side of him was highlighted in a TikTok video[3]. * International Career: Podolski had a successful international career, including winning the World Cup with Germany in 2014. After 2018, he left European football, which might have reduced his visibility in the European football scene[1]. * Other Anecdotes: - Podolski is celebrated for his versatile playing style, often excelling as a left-sided attacker. His career spanned several clubs, including Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Despite the lack of specific anecdotes in the search results, his career is marked by significant achievements and a strong reputation in the football world.
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of Article 93 (2) of the Treaty regarding the extraordinary football journey of Lukas Podolski, a European football legend who excels in sports like football, notably in the premier league and European-leagues. Despite his successful career, Sportswriters often make jokes about his preference for luxury company cars, as seen in the cathedral city where he once humorously remarked, "One day I might get one of those too."
