It all began for Lukas Podolski in Cologne. There he became a professional footballer. His heart still beats there today. The fans adore him and he has long since become a club icon at 1. FC Köln. Prince Poldi says goodbye to his fans with one last game on October 10th, it is a gesture of gratitude.
“The Cologne region, the city, the club and the fans have given me so much and pushed me in my career, which is why a large part of my success belongs to the city and the fans,” the “Spiegel” quoted him as saying before the game. “So I just wanted to come back to say thank you to everyone who supported me a bit.” It’s a farewell before the farewell, so to speak. Because Podolski is not yet retired from football. He is currently under contract with Polish club Górnik Zabrze. He doesn’t want to know anything about the end of his career yet.
Lukas Podolski is slowly saying goodbye to football
He didn’t need to continue playing. In his football career he has won almost everything there is to win. Was cup winner in Germany, England, Turkey and Japan. He was German champion, even world champion. He has enough money anyway. Especially since Prince Poldi has been making millions off the pitch for a long time – he has built an empire with his businesses, whether clothes or kebabs. And he is almost 40, an almost biblical age for footballers.
But Podolski also knows that the end will come at some point. “Of course there is day X when you say: ‘Well, now it’s time for work.’ I’m a bit scared,” he said on ran.de. “Of course it will hurt at first.” But it’s not ready yet. However, he wanted to play his farewell game now, “while I’m still active and can still move around on the pitch.” To say goodbye, Podolski brings current FC players to the stadium, but also old companions such as Per Mertesacker, Kevin Großkreutz and Manuel Neuer. Of all people, one person is missing from the top-class list: Poldi’s buddy Bastian Schweinsteiger.
His contract with Górnik Zabrze runs until the summer of 2025. However, 1. FC Köln is already scratching at Podolski’s door. Discussions are currently underway about Podolski’s possible role in the club after his career ends. Fans can therefore hope for Poldi’s comeback to Cologne – but what that might look like is not yet known.
Lukas Podolski’s farewell game can be seen live on Pro Sieben and in the stream on ran.de on October 10th from 8:45 p.m.
Source: Stern
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