A man identical to Lukas Podolski, hailing from Germany, has experienced no such thing.
## "Well, they're not exactly alone! Forget about it!" Germany's Unique Star, Lukas Podolski, Turns 40
By Ben Redelings, With a Splash of Insights
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More than two decades ago, Lukas Podolski began his football journey with 1. FC Köln. With his chill and endearing spirit, he quickly won the hearts of German football fans. Today, the World Cup champion and esteemed linguist celebrates his 40th birthday.
Brazilian football icon Pelé once praised Lukas Podolski: "Apart from Ballack, he's the only one who could also play for the Brazilian national team." Even ex-striker and now-retired coach Jupp Heynckes marveled: "If I had a left foot like Lukas Podolski, I wouldn't have scored 220 Bundesliga goals, but 500." The national star keeps scoring goals to this day, living by his favorite mantra: "Football is simple: get the ball in - and go home."
On the 16th matchday of the 2003-2004 season, the young talent of 1. FC Köln made his breakthrough before a larger audience. After the game against Hansa Rostock, Podolski gave a memorable interview to Premiere reporter Christian Sprenger: "The first goal from the dude next to me. Congrats on that, you can't complain in the fourth game, right?" Podolski: "Yeah, but, of course, the win was missing, you know! When you're that close, you want to win too, you know!" Sprenger: "Why didn't it work out in the end? Because of the penalty? Did some tension arise?" Podolski: "Yeah, I think first you have the penalty, and then you get the equalizer - that's obviously shit, you know! You have to watch out for that."
Udo Lattek Mocks Podolski
Just three days after the TV interview, the tram driver Podolski stood calmly as a reporter watched him leave the training ground in expensive company cars from a local car brand with a major factory in Cologne. The young Bundesliga goal-scorer stayed behind with a smile, saying, "One day, I might get one of those too." Everyone at the Geißbockheim knew that this day wouldn't be far off.
"FC is always my club and will always be," the tabloids' newly-christened "Prinz Poldi" said when he switched to FC Bayern Munich. When he returned, Franz Beckenbauer quipped, "He better make sure they don't demolish Cologne while he's gone, although the houses are already collapsing..." At that time, the Historical City Archive had collapsed due to unfortunate circumstances.
In Cologne, Podolski always enjoyed the perks of a star. This led former master coach and TV talker Udo Lattek to crack a humorous joke, "How do you know it's Thursday in Cologne? Lukas Podolski comes to training for the first time that week."
Insulting Argentina
Podolski was no stranger to adversity in his career. He knew how to defend himself and even confront his own teammates. In 2009, he shoved his national team captain, Michael Ballack, in front of running cameras during an international match. And when it came to verbal confrontations, Podolski was confident, facing opponents head-on. While half the team was still arguing with the defeated Argentinians on the pitch after the quarter-final victory in 2006, Podolski was already smirking on the sidelines: "I don't care if they're bad losers. They're going home now."
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Four years later, Podolski didn't hold back after another game against Argentina. After the defeat, he engaged in a heated argument with a journalist and sought to settle things outside. Over and over again, Podolski called, "Come on! Come on! Come out!" Fortunately, there were enough helping hands to pull the national player out of harm's way. Because Lukas Podolski can also be a real hothead, as Harald Strutz, the president of Mainz 05, had already noticed and criticized: "Poldi reminds me of Boris Becker at his worst times. Becker too always got out of rhythm when he complained too much and threw his racket. Then he always lost."
Other Times
Otherwise, Germany knows Lukas Podolski as a vibrant, witty man who loves a good prank and has a knack for humor. When he took a nearly life-sized action photo of himself from the wall in the locker room and kept it as a keepsake after his final game in Munich, Podolski grinned as he said, "I'm from Poland; they steal everything." Maybe the photo was also just a consolation for one of the most bizarre moments Podolski ever experienced. In a conversation during the 2006-2007 season, the then Bayern coach Felix Magath told him, "Lukas, you're running the wrong way." Then the coach stirred his tea thoughtfully and was quiet for minutes. Finally, he said, "Lukas, you're only running the wrong way." When Podolski asked what he could do better, the national coach sent him out of the room. Magath called after him, "Lukas, you're only running the wrong way." Podolski just kept running and it didn't bother him.
Sourcesntv.de
- Lukas Podolski
- Football
- 1. FC Köln
Additional Insights:
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of Article 93 (2) of the Treaty, but one can still engage in a sports-analysis of Lukas Podolski's football career. For instance, his goal on the 16th matchday of the 2003-2004 season demonstrated his significant talent, even at a young age. Additionally, his heated arguments with opponents, such as the one with Argentina after the quarter-final victory in 2006, showcased his confidence and resilience in sports.
