A German individual named Lukas Podolski has yet to experience...
Title: "Unstoppable Scorer Extraordinaire: The Legendary Lukas Podolski"
By Ben Redelings
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Meet Lukas Podolski, the gifted German footballer who turned 40 this year. Known for his carefree charm and mesmerizing talent, Lukas has left an indelible mark on the football world.
Praised by Pelé and Jupp Heynckes as a remarkable player with an exceptional left foot, Lukas has been converting those chances on the pitch according to his mantra: "Football is simple: put the ball in - and go home."
On the 16th matchday of the 2003/2004 season, Lukas, then a young talent for 1. FC Köln, made his breakthrough with a debut goal. After the game against Hansa Rostock, a memorable interview with a reporter revealed Podolski's equal parts humble and confident personality.
Three days later, Lukas, who was driving trams at the time, showed remarkable poise as he watched his teammates leave the training ground in luxurious company cars. Ever the optimist, Lukas smiled: "One day I might get one of those too."
When he left Köln for FC Bayern Munich, Lukas declared, "FC is always my club and will always remain so." And when he returned, legendary coach Franz Beckenbauer joked, "He just has to make sure they don't tear down the city in Cologne, although the houses are already falling down..."
In Cologne, Lukas embraced the special privileges that come with stardom. This sparked a memorable quip from former coach and TV commentator Udo Lattek: "How do you know it's Thursday in Cologne? Lukas Podolski comes to training for the first time in the week."
However, Lukas knew how to handle the ups and downs of his career, defending himself against life and even his teammates when needed. During a heated argument with a journalist after a game against Argentina, Lukas made headlines by challenging the reporter to a fight. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, and the situation was resolved without incident.
Despite these occasional outbursts, Lukas is primarily known for his friendly and lighthearted nature. He enjoys playing pranks and has a knack for saying witty things. In a hilarious incident, Lukas once took a large action photo of himself from the Munich locker room and carried it around in his pocket, joking, "I'm from Poland, they steal everything."
Lukas has not only left a lasting impression on the football field but also made a name for himself as a thoughtful and outspoken individual. His famous quote, "Sometimes the better team doesn't win," became "Football Quote of the Year" in 2006. Phrases such as "I don't think before the goal - I never do," "Dribbling alone? Forget it!" and "I don't need to talk nonsense. I just put the ball in the net" have resonated with amateur players.
On December 2022, at the age of 37, Lukas scored a record-breaking goal from over fifty meters for his club Gornik Zabrze, earning him the "Goal of the Month" award for the 13th time. With his contract recently extended until June 2026, it's safe to say Lukas will continue to add to his incredible achievements.
Lukas Podolski, a true football icon, undoubtedly has many more stories to tell as he continues to captivate audiences both on and off the pitch.
About the Author Ben Redelings is a bestselling author and comedian from the Ruhr area. His book "Ein Tor wü;"*rde dem Spiel guttun. Das ultimative Buch der Fußball-Wahrheiten" has just been published in an updated and expanded new edition!*** With his football programs, he is touring throughout Germany. Info & dates on www.scudetto.de.
Sources: ntv.de
- Lukas Podolski
- Football
- 1. FC Köln
- Gornik Zabrze
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of Article 93 (2) of the Treaty regarding Lukas Podolski's potential transfer to European-leagues for sports-analysis, as his exceptional football skills continue to shine on the pitch, even scoring a record-breaking goal from over fifty meters for Gornik Zabrze at the age of 37.
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