"Doppelpass? Forget it!" Lukas Podolski's One-of-a-Kind Football Journey in Germany
Germany's football icon, Lukas Podolski, has always avoided the experience of.
By Ben Redelings | Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | E-Mail | Print | Copy Link**
Over two decades ago, Lukas Podolski stepped onto the football field as a promising young talent for 1. FC Köln. His carefree and warmhearted nature quickly endeared him to football fans across Germany. As the iconic World Cup winner turns 40, let's take a look back at his memorable career.
Brazilian football legend Pelé, in admiration, said, "He is, alongside Ballack, the only one who could also play in the Brazilian national team." And former striker and now coaching pensioner Jupp Heynckes praised, "If I had a left foot like Lukas Podolski, I wouldn't have scored 220 Bundesliga goals, but 500." The national player continues performing on the field, abiding by his favorite motto: "Football is simple: put the ball in - and go home."
When Cologne's young gun was first introduced to a larger audience during the 16th matchday of the 2003/2004 season, he charmed Premiere reporter Christian Sprenger with his winsome charm after the game against Hansa Rostock: "The first goal from the young man next to me. Congratulations on that, you can't really complain in the fourth game, right?" Podolski, with his typical modesty, added, "Yeah, but of course, the win was missing, you know! When you're that close, you want to win too, right?"
Three days later, the future star calmly addressed a reporter, who had observed him leaving the training ground in luxurious company cars, with a major local car brand factory in Cologne. With a smile, he said, "One day, I might get one of those too." Everyone at the Geißbockheim knew that day was imminent.
"The FC is always my club and will always remain so," "Prinz Poldi," as the tabloids affectionately dubbed him at the start of his career, said when he transferred to Bayern Munich. The legendary Franz Beckenbauer joked, "He just has to make sure they don't tear down the city in Cologne, although the houses are already collapsing..." at the time. A historical building had collapsed due to unfortunate circumstances.
In the cathedral city, Podolski enjoyed the many advantages a star could demand, leading Jupp Heynckes to the humorous remark, "How do you know it's Thursday in Cologne? Lukas Podolski comes to training for the first time in the week."
Lukas Podolski knew that not everything in his career would be sunshine. He knew how to defend himself against life and even his own teammates. In 2009, he pushed his captain in the national team, Michael Ballack, in front of running cameras during an international match. And, verbally, Podolski always confidently faced his opponents. While half the team was still arguing with the defeated Argentinians on the pitch after the quarterfinal win in 2006, 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 want to leave it at words after another game against Argentina. After the defeat, he had a confrontation with a journalist and wanted to settle things outside. Fortunately, there were enough helping hands to bring Podolski out of the danger zone. Lukas Podolski can indeed be a hothead, as Harald Strutz, the president of Mainz 05, recognized 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 always lost."
Luckily for Podolski, his comedic timing always won the day. When he took a nearly life-sized action photo of himself from the Munich locker room and put it in his pocket, Podolski laughed, "I'm from Poland, they steal everything." Maybe it was just compensation for the most bizarre moment Podolski ever experienced. During the 2006/07 season, the then Bayern coach Felix Magath told him, "Lukas, you're running wrong." The coach furrowed his brow and pondered before saying, "Lukas, you're running wrong." Podolski asked what he could do better, and Magath sent him out of the room, calling after him, "Lukas, you're just running wrong." Podolski just kept running as before, and it didn't hurt him.
A unique feature of Podolski's career is that at just 20 years old, he already had an impressive record—he had won the "Goal of the Month" award eight times. Years later, when his Cologne teammate Christian Clemens also received the award for a goal, Podolski levied a playful jab, "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 quote didn't age well.
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, setting an outstanding record. Runner-up Jürgen Klinsmann has just seven such goals, and there's a chance more could come, as Podolski recently extended his contract in Poland until June 2026, giving him nearly 23 years as a professional footballer under his belt.
Lukas Podolski's impact on German football is multifaceted, encompassing both his on-field achievements and his enduring influence off the pitch.
Ben Redelings is a bestselling author and comedian from the Ruhr area. His book, "Ein Tor wü Süd dem Spiel guttun. Das ultimative Buch der Fußball-Wahrheiten," has just been published in its updated and expanded new edition! With his football programs, he tours throughout Germany. Info & dates on www.scudetto.de.
Source: ntv.de
- Lukas Podolski
- Football
- 1. FC Cologne
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of Article 93 (2) of the Treaty, but Lukas Podolski's passion for football, particularly football in Germany, is undeniable. Throughout his memorable career, from his early days at 1. FC Cologne to his recent success with Gornik Zabrze, Lukas Podolski has made significant contributions to the sport.
