June 4, 2025 is a special day for football fans – Lukas Podolski, an icon of German and Polish football who continues to impress on and off the pitch, celebrates his 40th birthday. Born Łukasz Józef Podolski in Gliwice, "Poldi" is not only the 2014 world champion, but also a man who has never forgotten his roots.
Podolski is a son of Silesian land who emigrated with his family to Germany at the age of two. There, playing for 1. FC Köln, he began his professional career, winning the hearts of fans with his powerful left shot and charisma. With Bayern Munich, he won the championship and the German Cup, with Arsenal the FA Cup, and his 130 appearances and 49 goals for the German national team make him one of the best scorers in the history of "Die Mannschaft".
Today, at the age of 40, Podolski remains loyal to Górnik Zabrze, a club that has been his dream since childhood. In 2021, he fulfilled a promise to his grandmother Zofia and returned to Poland, where he not only plays, but also inspires. His foundation supports children, including through the "Arka" community center in Warsaw, and he himself is involved in local initiatives, such as helping flood victims or visiting fans in need. He recently extended his contract with Górnik until 2026, showing that passion for football knows no age.
Off the pitch, "Poldi" is also an entrepreneur – his kebab chain "Mangal Döner" is conquering Germany, and he himself organizes festivals and supports sports projects. As he himself says: "Money is secondary, what counts is fun and challenges". His farewell match in Cologne in 2024, where he played alongside his son Louis, showed that football for him is emotions and family.
Lukas Podolski is more than a footballer – he is an ambassador of the Silesian soul, connecting Poland and Germany. Happy birthday, Poldi!