Lukas Podolski

At 39 years old, Lukas Podolski has this physical status:

Club career

Podolski started playing football at the age of six in FC 07 Bergheim's youth team, where he starred until he joined 1. At the age of ten, FC Köln was founded in Köln. Podolski's skills were first discovered there. In 2003, Podolski was still a member of the club's youth team at the age of 18. The club was in dire circumstances at the time, fighting to prevent relegation from the Bundesliga. Marcel Koller, the first team manager, was invited by Podolski to train with the senior players, and he made his top flight debut shortly after. Despite Köln's struggles to avoid a drop in the 2nd division, Podolski had demonstrated what he could do by scoring ten goals in his first 19 senior appearances. Before Florian Wirtz beat the record in 2021, it was the highest tally by an 18-year-old in the Bundesliga's history until Florian Wirtz overtook it.

Despite his call up to the German Euro 2004 squad sparked admiration from several top clubs, Podolski stayed at Köln to help the club win promotion in the 2004–05 season. Podolski advanced to become the league's best scorer with 24 goals. Podolski remained part of the Germany squad, despite the fact that he did not compete in the national top-tier tournament.

Since Köln was promoted, Podolski was put under pressure to hold the club's status in the Bundesliga practically singlehandedly. In the 2005–06 season, Podolski scored 12 goals, but Köln was relegated again. It became clear that Podolski would not return to push them through the 2006-07 season, even more so as Podolski was a vital part of the national team.

Even though he had a deal with 1... Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Hamburger SV, Werder Bremen, Werder Bremen, and Real Madrid expressed their love in Podolski in 2006. FC Köln from 2007 to 2007. Podolski announced on June 1st that a transfer deal had been reached with Bayern Munich, allowing him to join the Bavarian team for the 2006–07 season. The transaction's financial terms were not immediately available, but the transfer fee was estimated to be around €10 million. On August 11, 2006, he made his Bundesliga debut for Bayern, serving as a substitute in the 88th minute of a 2–0 victory over Borussia Dortmund. In a DFB-Pokal match against FC St. Pauli on September 9, 2006, he appeared as a second-half substitute. He scored the equalizer only 26 seconds after the second half had begun, leveling the match at 1-1. Podolski scored his first Bundesliga goal for Bayern on October 14, 2006, leading to the club's 4–2 victory over Hertha BSC. Podolski sustained a serious injury to his right ankle joint during a training session on October 26, 2006. Podolski has therefore missed more than five match weeks. He returned from the injury and scored against Alemannia Aachen.

After Bayern bought Italian striker Luca Toni in 2007, they were given less playing time due to coach Ottmar Hitzfeld's decision to partner Miroslav Klose and Toni together instead. Bayern won a league and cup double in 2007, giving Podolski his first major silverware of his career.

Despite former national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann's involvement with Bayern in the 2008–09 season, the team's regular first choice line-up suffered to break into the team's new first choice lineup. He returned to former club Köln on July 1st, 2009, after a turbulent stay at Bayern.

After being told by national team coach Joachim Löw that a return to FC Köln will not jeopardize his prospects of international football, a teammate was signed between Bayern Munich and Köln in January 2009, but he will not return to Köln until the summer transfer window opens. Podolski, a four-year deal, returned to Köln on July 1st on a four-year contract, costing him more than the fee Bayern paid to hire him in 2006. In order to save the transfer's cost, Köln and Köln supporter Michael Schumacher purchased several pixels of a Podolski's image for €25 per 8x8 pixel square; Formula One driver and Köln supporter Michael Schumacher purchased several pixels for €875.

Podolski had a rough first season at Köln, scoring just three times in the entire season. Despite losing a draw, one of his goals came from a free kick against his former team.

In the match against Hannover 96 in March 2011, Podolski scored his 50th Bundesliga goal in the 2010–11 season. Podolski scored 13 goals and gave seven assists in a single season.

In his second stint with Köln, the 2011-2012 season was his second in his second stint. Despite the team's demotion to the second division, the team has continued to do well. Podolski, a Bundesliga player, scored 18 goals in 29 Bundesliga appearances.

1. He is regarded with a degree of admiration and success for the club. FC Köln has decided to postpone his legendary No. 71. As long as he is an active football player, he will wear a ten shirt. However, at the start of the 2014-–15 Bundesliga season, Köln began assigning the number 10 shirt to a new person.

Podolski was involved with Premier League club Arsenal in the 2012 winter transfer window, but no agreement was made. However, on Friday, it was officially announced that Podolski had signed for Arsenal on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee. Podolski started for Arsenal in a pre-season match against his old club, Köln, scoring twice, once from a penalty, and then in a 4–0 victory. After being handed the number 9 shirt vacated by Robin van Persie to Jack Wilshere, Podolski was loaned out to Celta Vigo. On the first day of the Premier League, Podolski played in his first official match for Arsenal against Sunderland. He played 63 minutes before being subbed off for another 2012 summer signing, Olivier Giroud, in a match that ended 0–0. He scored his first goal for Arsenal against Liverpool in 2–0 victory at Anfield on September 2nd, while Santi Cazorla scored his first goal for the Gunners. In a 6–1 victory over Southampton, Podolski scored his second goal for Arsenal in the following game, scoring a free-kick from 25 yards.

In a 2–1 away victory over Montpellier on 18 September 22, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for the Gunners. Podolski scored again in Arsenal's second game in the Champions League as Arsenal defeated Greek champions Olympiacos 3–1. In a thrilling 3–3 draw, Podolski scored his first goal in more than a month against Fulham. Arsenal defeated Tottenham 5–2 in the North London derby on Saturday, with Podolski scoring his fourth League goal. Arsenal beat Montpellier 2–0, and he then qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League by scoring his second goal. Podolski continued to play a vital role in a dramatic 5–2 victory over Reading at the Madejski Stadium, scoring the first goal and assisting 2 others in his first hat-trick victory. Podolski was integral part of Newcastle's 7-3 win over December 30, 2012. Arsenal's first goal, he was an incisive pass to Theo Walcott. In addition, Podolski pounced on a header for his last goal of 2012. Aaron Ramsey was given a standing ovation after being rushed to a standing ovation. Arsenal beat West Ham 5-1 on January 23, 2013, scoring one goal and setting up three others. Podolski scored the Gunners' sole goal on February 2, 2013, defeating Stoke City 1–0. Podolski won by 3–1 over Norwich City on April 13th by scoring his first goal since February. Following Giroud's three-game suspension hearing, Podolski began playing as a center forward, beginning with the 1–1 draw against Manchester United. In a 4–1 victory over Wigan Athletic, Podolski scored twice, resulting in Wigan's relegation from the Premier League. Podolski had a total of 16 goals and 11 assists in his first season in Arsenal.

Podolski scored twice for Arsenal against Fulham in a 3–1 victory on August 24th, his first goals of the 2013-14 season. However, he was hurt in his next match against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League qualifier, but he was barred for ten weeks. Podolski scored in Arsenal's third goal in the 79th minute as the team defeated West Ham United in a 3–1 victory on Boxing Day. In a 4–0 FA Cup fourth round victory over Coventry City, Podolski scored his first two goals in 2014 with a brace. In a 2–1 FA Cup victory over Liverpool in February, he went on to secure Arsenal's qualification in the quarterfinals.

Podolski scored two goals in March as he began to play more frequently in the Gunners' starting lineup. In the return leg of the UEFA Champions League last 16 tie, his first goal against his former club, FC Bayern Munich, was a goal. Arsenal crashed out of Europe, losing 3–1 on aggregate to the defending champions, with Podolski's goal being nothing more than a consolation.

In the Premier League match against Swansea City, his second goal in March was an equalizer. Podolski had an assist for teammate Olivier Giroud, who gave Arsenal a 2–1 lead a minute after scoring. However, Mathieu Flamini's last-minute own goal ended the game 2–2, effectively ending Arsenal's chances of winning the Premier League for another season.

Arsenal qualified for the FA Cup final against Wigan on April 12th, where Podolski was forced to leave after 68 minutes. In Arsenal's next game, a 3–1 victory over West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium, the player stole twice and later showed his brace against him in Arsenal's upcoming match, a 3–0 win at Hull City. He started his FA Cup Final against Hull City and then left the pitch for Yaya Sanogo after 61 minutes as Hull led Arsenal 1–2. Arsenal won the game 3–2 after extra time, bringing an end to the club's nine-year trophy drought.

Arsenal barred Per Mertesacker and Mesut zl from the 2014 Community Shield, which they lost 3–0 against Manchester City after winning the World Cup for Germany, Podolski, and compatriots Per Mertesacker and Mesut zl's Perpet & Mesut zl's Per Mertesacker and Mesut zil.

Podolski talked about his dissatisfaction with his current position with Arsenal and his lack of game time in November, saying: "Of course I am not content with my situation right now." I can't be content with that. When you can't do what you love, it's difficult."

Arsenal revealed on January 5th that Podolski had been on loan with Inter Milan for the remainder of the 2014–15 season. Since the contract was finalised ahead of their league match against Juventus on January 6, he joined the team for preparation. After 54 minutes, he came on as a replacement for Zdravko Kuzmanovi in the 1-1 draw at Juventus Stadium. Coach Roberto Mancini preferred Xherdan Shaqiri over the German national in Inter's squad for the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League. Podolski scored his only goal with Inter on April 28th, beating Udinese 2–1 in the 65th minute.

Podolski signed a three-year deal with Galatasaray's Turkish club Galatasaray on July 4, 2015, a three-year deal for the Süper Lig champions who will continue to pay Arsenal £2.1 million for three seasons thereafter. He gained the Turkish Super Cup almost immediately. He scored the deciding goal for Galatasaray's 1–0 victory over Fenerbahçe on June 26, 2016.

After the completion of the Turkish season, Podolski announced his move to Vissel Kobe on March 2nd. In a 3–1 victory over Omiya Ardija in the J1 League on July 29, he played his first match for Vissel Kobe and scored two goals. Andrés Iniesta's first goal in the J1 League was he assisted in a 2–1 victory over Jubilo Iwata on August 11, 2018.

In a 4–1 victory over Jbilo Iwata on December 8, 2019, he scored a hat-trick. It was his first hat-trick in the J1 League.

Podolski lifted his first trophy in Japan on January 1, 2020, beginning with Vissel Kobe's 2–0 win over Kashima Antlers in the 2019 Emperor's Cup final; it was also the club's first major trophy.

Podolski joined Antalyaspor on a one-and-a-half-year deal on January 23, 2020.

After stating that it's his goal to end his footballing career playing for Górnik, Podolski was announced by the Ekstraklasa club Górnik Zabrze on July 6, 2021. In a 3–1 league home loss to Lech Pozna at the Arena Zabrze on July 30, he made his debut on July 30th and came as a replacement. In the Ekstraklasa home match against Legia Warsaw 3–2, he scored his first goal for Górnik Zabrze on November 21, 2021. Podolski decided to a one-year contract extension on May 19th, 2022.

International career

In late 2003, after several good results in his first two Bundesliga games, Polish media suggested that then-Polish national team coach Pawe Janas investigate Podolski, as he was still eligible to play for Poland. In one of the press interviews, Janas denied the request, saying that "We have much better strikers in Poland today, and I don't see a reason to call up a player simply because he played one or two good matches in the Bundesliga." He isn't even a regular starter for his team." By that time, Podolski was still interested in representing Poland, but as the season progressed, German media increasingly highlighted his achievements, it was suggested that he be called up to the German national team. When his full potential was revealed, he had already decided to represent Germany. Köln was relegated at the end of the season, but Podolski impressed so much that he made his debut for Rudi Völler's Germany on June 6, 2004, a late substitute appearance against Hungary. He was the first second-division player to break into the national team since 1975.

Podolski was a member of the German team in 2004, when he was the team's youngest player. When he came on for Torsten Frings at halftime, he made one substitution appearance in the game against the Czech Republic.

Podolski was selected in Germany's 2006 World Cup squad, where he joined Miroslav Klose as the attack team's starting lineup. In Germany's third group match against Ecuador, he scored his first World Cup goal, and both teams scored in the 2–0 win over Sweden in the round of 16. He was the first player to score two goals in the first 12 minutes of a World Cup match since 1962, and only the third player to do so. Germany finished third in the tournament, and though his colleague Miroslav Klose won the Golden Boot competition, Podolski's three goals put him in second place with Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Fernando Torres, David Villa, Maxi Rodr, and Zinedine Zidane. Podolski was named World Cup Best Young Player ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who were both named World Cup champions.

In Germany's historic 13–0 thrashing, Podolski scored four goals against San Marino in UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying game. He is one of only four German players to score four goals in an international match. He was the third child of Gerd Müller and Michael Ballack, and Mario Gómez has come close to achieving this feat. In Germany's 4–1 victory over Slovakia in Bratislava on October 11, he scored the first and the last German goal, both on Miroslav Klose's assistance. He has continued to score goals at a breakneck pace. Podolski was involved in every goal in Germany's 4–0 victory on November 17th, 2007 in a Euro qualifier match against Cyprus. This was one of Podolski's finest national team's best efforts. Despite playing out of his natural place and playing left midfield, he scored one goal himself and was named Man of the Match.

In a Group B match in Klagenfurt, Austria, on June 8, 2008, Podolski made his Euro 2008 appearance against debutants Poland. In a 2–0 victory, he scored both goals. However, he held his hopes but still showed his love for his country of birth. After the game, he conducted an emotional interview on Polish television. David Villa scored a hat-trick for Spain against Russia, putting him in the top of the Euro 2008 goal scoring rankings for two days.

Germany defeated Croatia in their second Group B match, this time in Klagenfurt on June 12th. In the 79th minute, Podolski scored the German team's only goal of the game, by which time the Croatians were already leading 2–0. Despite being ranked second on the Euro 2008 goal-scoring list with David Villa, he did not celebrate this goal. Podolski's goal was not enough to salvage a draw, with Croatia winning by 2–1 over Germany. In the quarterfinals in Basel on June 19, Germany defeated Portugal 1-0, whipping a cross into the penalty box that had been slotted home by Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 22nd minute to give Germany a 1–0 lead.

Podolski seemed to be gravitating toward an attacking left midfield role from his traditional position as a striker on the international stage. In order to accommodate Klose and Mario Gómez's relationship up front, Löw had to relocate him to the wing at first. He recovered his forward position in the UEFA Euro 2008 Final after this backfired, but Germany was unable to stop Germany from losing 1–0 to Spain. Podolski was headbutted by Spanish midfielder David Silva, but the referee and his assistants failed to notice it, and the referee and his assistants were unnoticed and unnoticed, and the case was unpunished. Podolski, a countryman and Philipp Lahm, was named in the 23-man squad as one of the tournament's best players.

Podolski scored the first two goals in Germany's first 2010 World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein in Vaduz, which resulted in a 6–0 victory for the Germans. In the 2–1 home win over Russia on October 11, he turned Vasili Berezutski around the penalty area before launching a strong shot past Russia's goalkeeper Akinfeev. He was the second highest scorer of Group 4 in qualifying, behind teammate Miroslav Klose's 7. He was involved in a bust-up with team captain Michael Ballack during one of the qualifying games.

Podolski, who had become accustomed to his role as a winger in Germany's World Cup opener against Australia, scored the first goal on June 13, 2010, before assisting teammate Thomas Müller for the third goal. In the 1–0 loss to Serbia, Podolski missed a second-half penalty after a handling infraction committed by Nemanja Vidi. After a second yellow was shown to Miroslav Klose in the 36th minute, the German team had fallen to 10-man. Despite the fact that the Germans were playing with 10-man for the remainder of the game, Podolski had many opportunities on goal. However, he was unable to contribute, and the game ended in a surprise loss for the Germans. However, he did score against England in the last 16; giving Germany a 2–0 advantage in the first half. They went on to defeat England 4–1. Podolski had a hand in the quarter-finals against Argentina, bringing the score to 2–0. The Germans won the match 4–0.

Podolski scored three goals and three times during qualification, assisting Germany in winning all ten matches of their qualification campaign. Podolski played in all three of Germany's Group B games, the third of which he appeared for Germany for the 100th time; he also scored in a game. In the semi-finals, Podolski's last game at Euro 2012 was against the Italian national team, where Germany was defeated 2–1.

Podolski was a participant in Germany's 2014 World Cup campaign. He appeared in five qualifying matches prior to the tournament. He appeared in the group stages of the World Cup in Brazil, but did not play the full 90 minutes. Germany went on to become World Champions.

Podolski was named in the squad for UEFA Euro 2016 in Podolski. During the tournament, he appeared as a replacement against Slovakia. He announced his retirement from international football on August 15th (effectively 23 March 2017), saying he needs to shift his attention and spend more time with his family and friends. On March 22, 2017, he made his last international appearance for Germany against England, scoring the winning goal.

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