Lukas Podolski is a figure connecting the top league with the world of the big league football. The Górnik Zabrze player will soon end his wonderful career, but before hanging up his shoes he decided to say goodbye to the fans with dignity. FC Koelnwhere he played the longest in his career. For this purpose, he organized a unique match in Cologne between his former and current team.
A great farewell to Lukas Podolski. Five goals until halftime and then going the other way
Manuel Neuer, Per Mertesacker, Christoph Kramer – former or current stars of German football ran onto the pitch arm in arm with Rafał Janicki, Damian Rasak and Sławomir Peszka. And Jan Urban, Joachim Loew and Hansi Flick sat on Górnik's coaching bench (plus Podolski's friends). No wonder there was a lot going on on the pitch from the very beginning.
The unique meeting couldn't have started better. Already in the fourth minute, Podolski, who was several meters in front of the goal, made an indefensible bang, opening the scoring. And less than ten minutes later, Sinan Bakis scored in a one-on-one situation after an impressive assist from Taofeek Ismaheel.
The Nigerian player from Górnik took this match very seriously and after a few minutes he scored another goal – this time his cross was finished with a header by Damian Rasak. After a while, Ismaheel swirled the FC Koeln players again, and Kryspin Szcześniak took advantage of his pass, who had to add a lot of himself.
Finally, the 24-year-old Nigerian scored a goal and it was 5-0 at the break. It is worth adding that shortly before the end of the first part, Louis Podolski, the son of the 39-year-old footballer, appeared on the pitch instead of Bakis.
In the second half there was a significant change and Lukas Podolski “moved” to the Cologne team. The effect was immediate, after just five minutes he won a penalty kick and confidently converted it into a goal. And then he assisted in the goals of Simon Terrode and Matthias Scherz. – Michał Szromnik was defeated three times in eight minutes – summed up the Canal+Sport commentators. Later, Louis Podolski returned to the pitch and, like his father, played for the German team.
Lukas Podolski was sent off. And only then it began
The culminating moment took place in the 64th minute. Then the announcer announced that Lukas Podolski was leaving the field, of course to thunderous applause and shouts from the stands. The 39-year-old stayed in the Wednesday circle, surrounded by cameras and photojournalists, and the entire stadium started singing along with the German singer. Then the player took a lap of honor on the pitch and, moved, thanked the fans.
Finally, tears fell from his eyes. He then walked over to the south stand, where the most ardent fans sit. First, he lit a flare and then spoke to them, thanking them for their many years of support.
– Values have always been the most important to me. Without you, the fans, football would be nothing. We have to maintain it, I will always be a boy from the street, from the stands, one of you. And that is the reason why I can be here with you. It was a great honor for me to be able to run on the pitch for you. I experienced something great – he told the reporter who interviewed him… almost 21 years ago, after his first goal in the Bundesliga. Moreover, he thanked, among others, the players he played with, and even for the way he was received in the city.
Then, farewell films recorded by football personalities were broadcast. Among them was, among others: the legendary Andres Iniesta, who has just finished his career – both played together in Vissel Kobe, Japan, for a year and a half (2018-2020). Finally, Podolski left the field, and the remaining players prepared a row for him. But he quickly returned to the center circle and listened to the fans chanting.
This was the last act of the extraordinary match. Podolski continued to say goodbye to the Cologne players and took souvenir photos with his teammates. He also found time to have fun with Górnik fans from the so-called “Torcida”, who, unlike the fans from Cologne, will be able to enjoy his performances for some time.