At 40, Podolski’s priorities are shifting: less playing time, more enjoyment of work off the pitch. But the 2014 World Cup winner is not committing himself entirely.
Lukas Podolski has once again hinted that his long professional career is coming to an end – but the 2014 World Cup winner is leaving himself a small back door open. “Basically, yes, this should actually be my last season,” Podolski told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, adding with a smile: “If we manage to pull off a coup in sporting terms, I might want to give it another go.”
Podolski has been under contract with his youth club Gornik Zabrze since 2021 and has helped the club from his native country advance on many levels during this time – in sporting and structural terms and through his network. “I also really enjoy the work off the pitch. I’m 40 now, so my priorities have shifted. The club has given me the opportunity to get a taste of many different areas,“ Podolski explained.
”A little niggle here and there”
After 15 match days, the traditional club surprisingly leads the Polish league table. Podolski himself is not seeing as much playing time this season. The striker only started on the second match day. In addition, he has made seven brief appearances. “I still really enjoy playing, and I also take great pleasure in helping the young players in the team with my experience.
But I’m not 30 anymore, so I do get aches and pains here and there,” said the striker, whose contract expires at the end of the season. In October 2024, Podolski’s career at 1. FC Köln was honored with an emotional farewell match. In addition to soccer, the DFB legend has already established other sources of income. Together with Mats Hummels, he founded the indoor soccer league Baller League. Podolski also owns several kebab shops and ice cream parlors in North Rhine-Westphalia. A soccer hall and his own fashion label are also among his projects.