Arsenal cult hero Lukas Podolski breaks down in tears as he announces his retirement
Lukas Podolski said a tearful goodbye to football, announcing his retirement after a testimonial match.
the first Arsenal The striker made his final appearance for his boyhood club, FC Cologne, on Thursday night in front of 50,000 fans.
Podolski He played and scored for both the Poldi team and the Cologne XI, with the former winning 5-3 in a packed RheinEnergieStadion.
He received a well-deserved ovation at full time and delivered an emotional message as he ended his career.
“It's over in the field,” he said. via the Bundesliga websitewith the 39-year-old looking tearful.
“But we will surely see each other again off the field, whether in the stands or away from home. Whoever is a Cologne fan will always be a Cologne fan.”
Podolski was joined by many colleagues German Stars in his testimony include Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels and Joachim Löw.
The support he received meant a lot to him and, before taking the field for the last time, he said: “I'm really touched that so many fans want to come and enjoy this special evening with me.
“I'm honored to wear the Billygoat on my chest once again in front of a packed stadium.
“It is a final declaration of love for this very special city, for the club with its fantastic fans, for my teammates of so many years and for the rest of the people who have accompanied my path.”
Podolski was born in Poland and moved to what was then West Germany in 1987 before joining the Cologne academy eight years later.
After making 85 appearances for the club, he left the club in 2006 to join German giants Bayern Munich and won the Bundesliga title.
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The striker returned to Cologne for a second season and featured 65 more times and extended his goal tally to 86 in all competitions.
Podolski then left Germany in 2012 to join Arsenal, with whom he won the FA Cup in his second season.
He scored 31 goals and assisted another 15 for the Gunners before a loan move to Inter Milan for the second half of the 2014/15 campaign.
Upon his return, the 130-time German international and World Cup winner completed a permanent departure from north London with a move to Galatasaray.
He continued through Japan with Vissel Kobe, Turkey with Antalyaspor and, most recently, Gornik Zabrze of the Polish top flight before his swan song in Cologne.
