News Focus
- The 40-year-old forward will play his last professional match today for Górnik Zabrze in Poland
- He won the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany and earned 130 international caps
- Podolski played for major European clubs including Arsenal and FC Bayern Munich
- His professional career spans 23 years after starting at 1.FC Köln in 2003
- The striker also played in Italy, Turkey and Japan before ending his career in Poland
Lukas Podolski has confirmed he will stop playing professional football. The German star won the World Cup in 2014. Sky Germany reported this news on Saturday.
The 40-year-old wrote on social media, “A chapter ends, a new era begins.” This message confirms the end of his time on the pitch.
Podolski will play his final match this afternoon. The game starts at 17:30 CET. His club Górnik Zabrze will host Radomiak Radom at home.
The forward joined the Polish club in 2021. He has spent the last years of his career there. Now he closes the book on 23 years in the sport.
The former Germany international enjoyed great success. He lifted the World Cup trophy in 2014. He played 130 games for his country. He scored 49 goals. He retired from international football in 2017.
Podolski started his journey at 1.FC Köln. He came through their youth academy. He made his professional debut in 2003.
He later moved to FC Bayern Munich. This was a transfer within the German league. He won the league and cup double in 2008.
The attacker also starred abroad. He wore the shirt of Arsenal in England. He played for Inter Milan in Italy. He had spells at Galatasaray and Antalyaspor in Turkey. He also played for Vissel Kobe in Japan.
Fans across the world will remember him as a World Cup winner and a prolific goal scorer. His final appearance comes today against Radomiak Radom.