Lukas Podolski (39) became a German football legend. Now “Prinz Poldi” is stepping down; on Thursday he will play his official farewell game in the sold-out Rheinenergiestadion in Cologne. But you will still hear a lot from him after the final whistle.
Poldi actually still has a contract. Until the end of the season, i.e. until June 2025, he will play for Górnik Zabrze, a first division club and his favorite club in Poland, where he was once born. Nevertheless, he is already inviting you to the big “goodbye” and it will be a unique gala. ProSieben and Joyn will broadcast the game live on Thursday evening (kick-off: 8:45 p.m.), and it can also be seen on ran.de.
The game’s motto is “Our 10 are returning home – one last time in Rut un Wiess” and is – of course – also a thank you to Cologne and the “Effzeh”, in whose squad Podolski became the (second division) top scorer and two-time top scorer of the Year”, 130-time national player and world champion (2014). The “Kölsche Jong” is really looking forward to it: “It touches me very much that so many fans want to experience this special evening with me in Müngersdorf. It is an honor for me to carry the billy goat on my chest once again in front of a full hut .”
Only love for family tops love for football
Many former teammates paid him their farewell honors. In addition to the former national coaches Joachim Löw and Hansi Flick, other kicking companions such as Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Per Mertesacker, Christoph KramerKevin Grosskreutz, Erik Durm and Roman Weidenfeller expected.
This is what Lukas Podolski does away from football
Football will once again be the focus for Poldi and his fans. He no longer plays the main role in his life. The round leather had to share this with Poldi’s even greater love since 2004: That’s when he met Monika Puchalski. Like Poldi, she comes from Poland and became his wife in 2011. The couple has three children together: their daughters Maya (born 2016) and Ella (2023) and the son Louis (2008).
Poldi always came across as a rascal. Not just as a strong dribbling striker on the pitch. The interviews during the “Summer Fairy Tale”, the 2006 World Cup, which Poldi gave alongside his congenial buddy Bastian Schweinsteiger, became legendary, and “Basti & Poldi” became real cult figures. But Poldi also achieved great things outside of football.
Lukas Podolski is involved in many social aid projects
He founded one Ice cream parlor and a series of “Mangal Doner”-Takeaway restaurantshe took part in one Breweryfounded his own Fashion label for leisure and sports clothing and runs the “Straßenkicker Base” with one Sports bar and a football hall with a total of seven small playing fields. In 2023 he helped launch the “Baller League” – and won it in April 2024 with his team “Streets United”.
Poldi was not only committed as an entrepreneur, but also socially. He founded it back in 2010 Lukas Podolski Foundationwhich implements sports and educational projects for disadvantaged children and young people. He supports the Sepp Herberger Foundation, the aid organization “Die Arche” and the campaigns of the German Bone Marrow Donor Database, as well as the German Cancer Aid and the German Cancer Society.
Poldi’s “Glücksfühle” festivals set records
In 2023, Podolski and music manager Markus Krampe organized the “Glücksfühle” festival at the Hockenheimring, which was attended by 130,000 spectators. Poldi had previously only had one intention: to have fun. “I’m looking forward to everything. To the people, to the laughter, to switching off, to the carousel, to dirty food – sometimes a currywurst.” In 2024, the result for the second edition was topped with 200,000 spectators, setting a new audience record for Germany. And not only the fans came, but also the stars: Among others, Shirin David, The Fantastic FourTokio Hotel, Jan Delay and the rapper Contract on – and the Backstreet Boys als Headliner.
have fun. Make. That seems to be Poldi’s philosophy of life. Not just on the pitch, but also in life. A legend says goodbye, but legends don’t die. See you soon, Poldi.
