View source for Lukas Podolski

{{short description|Footballer (born 1985)}}
{{Redirect|Łukasz Podolski|the cyclist|Łukasz Podolski (cyclist)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Lukas Podolski
| image = Lukas Podolski 2023.jpg
| caption = Podolski playing for [[Górnik Zabrze]] in 2023
| fullname = Lukas Josef Podolski<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageId=526&kisiId=1821841 |title=Lukas Josef Podolski |publisher=Turkish Football Federation |access-date=1 December 2020}}</ref>
| birth_name = Łukasz Józef Podolski<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.90minut.pl/kariera.php?id=7386 |title=Lukas Podolski |publisher=90minut.pl|language=Polish|access-date=6 March 2022}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|6|4|df=y}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-04-20 |title=FIFA.com - Lukas PODOLSKI |url=http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=196789/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420203052/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=196789/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-04-20 |access-date=2024-05-21 }}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Gliwice]], Poland
| height = 1.83 m<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gornikzabrze.pl/druzyna/i-druzyna/10-lukas-podolski|title=Lukas Podolski - nr 10 - Napastnik|publisher=[[Górnik Zabrze]]|language=Polish|accessdate=3 January 2022}}</ref>
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]], [[attacking midfielder]]<ref name=PodolskiArsenalProfile>{{cite web|title=Lukas Podolski |url=http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/lukas-podolski |work=Arsenal Football Club |access-date=20 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829224053/http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/lukas-podolski |archive-date=29 August 2012 }}</ref>
| currentclub = [[Górnik Zabrze]]
| clubnumber = 10
| youthyears1 = 1991–1995
| youthclubs1 = FC 07 Bergheim
| youthyears2 = 1995–2003
| youthclubs2 = [[1. FC Köln]]
| years1 = 2003–2004
| clubs1 = [[1. FC Köln II]]
| caps1 = 2
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2003–2006
| clubs2 = [[1. FC Köln]]
| caps2 = 81
| goals2 = 46
| years3 = 2006–2009
| clubs3 = [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]
| caps3 = 71
| goals3 = 15
| years4 = 2007–2008
| clubs4 = [[FC Bayern Munich II|Bayern Munich II]]
| caps4 = 2
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2009–2012
| clubs5 = [[1. FC Köln]]
| caps5 = 88
| goals5 = 33
| years6 = 2012–2015
| clubs6 = [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| caps6 = 60
| goals6 = 19
| years7 = 2015
| clubs7 = → [[Inter Milan]] (loan)
| caps7 = 17
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2015–2017
| clubs8 = [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]]
| caps8 = 56
| goals8 = 20
| years9 = 2017–2020
| clubs9 = [[Vissel Kobe]]
| caps9 = 52
| goals9 = 15
| years10 = 2020–2021
| clubs10 = [[Antalyaspor]]
| caps10 = 40
| goals10 = 6
| years11 = 2021–
| clubs11 = [[Górnik Zabrze]]
| caps11 = 89
| goals11 = 20
| nationalyears1 = 2001–2002
| nationalteam1 = [[Germany national youth football team|Germany U17]]
| nationalcaps1 = 6
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2002–2003
| nationalteam2 = [[Germany national youth football team|Germany U18]]
| nationalcaps2 = 7
| nationalgoals2 = 4
| nationalyears3 = 2003
| nationalteam3 = [[Germany national youth football team|Germany U19]]
| nationalcaps3 = 3
| nationalgoals3 = 6
| nationalyears4 = 2004
| nationalteam4 = [[Germany national under-21 football team|Germany U21]]
| nationalcaps4 = 5
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2004–2017
| nationalteam5 = [[Germany national football team|Germany]]
| nationalcaps5 = 130
| nationalgoals5 = 49
| pcupdate = 22:47, 21 September 2024 (UTC)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}} 
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|GER}}}} 
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 Brazil]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 Germany]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 South Africa]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[UEFA European Championship]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[UEFA Euro 2008|2008 Austria–Switzerland]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[UEFA Euro 2012|2012 Poland–Ukraine]]|}}<!-- Though there was no third place playoff, UEFA decided in the 2012 edition to award the semi-final losers (Germany and Portugal) bronze medals for the first time: https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/competitions/euro/91/87/57/918757_download.pdf -->
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup|2005 Germany]]|}}
}}
'''Lukas Josef Podolski''' ({{IPA|de|ˈluːkas poˈdɔlskiː|lang}}; born '''Łukasz Józef Podolski''', {{IPA|pl|ˈwukaʂ pɔˈdɔlskʲi|lang}}, 4 June 1985) is a professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]] or [[attacking midfielder]] for [[Ekstraklasa]] club [[Górnik Zabrze]]. He is known for his powerful and accurate left foot, explosive shooting, technique and probing attacks from the left side.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/players/player=196789/profile.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129040154/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/players/player=196789/profile.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 January 2011|title=Player Profile|publisher=FIFA|access-date=30 April 2012}}</ref>

Podolski joined [[1. FC Köln]] in 1995 where he made it into the first team in 2003 resulting in 81 appearances for the club before moving to [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]. With Bayern, Podolski won the [[Bundesliga]] and [[DFB-Pokal]] double in 2008. Podolski returned to 1. FC Köln in 2009. He later signed for [[Premier League]] club [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in 2012, with whom he won the [[FA Cup]] in [[2013–14 FA Cup|2014]]. He then moved on loan to [[Serie A]] club [[Inter Milan]] in January 2015, before signing six months later for [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]] where he also won the [[Turkish Cup]] of [[2015–16 Turkish Cup|2016]].<ref name="Eurosport">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/lukas-podolski_prs27564/person.shtml|title=Lukas Podolski: Eurosport|publisher=FIFA|access-date=30 April 2012}}</ref>

Born in Poland, Podolski was eligible to play for both [[Poland national football team|Poland]] and Germany (due to his [[Silesians|Silesian]] paternal grandfathers being born in then-[[Imperial Germany]]), and he was open to playing for the Polish team but was rejected by the then Polish coach [[Paweł Janas]] in 2003,<ref name="Goal.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2601/features/2011/09/06/2652783/why-germany-owe-a-lot-to-poland-born-miroslav-klose-lukas?noBetaRedirect=1|title=Why Germany owe a lot to Poland-born Miroslav Klose & Lukas Podolski| website = Goal.com | access-date = 8 December 2019 | first = Clark | last = Whitney}}</ref> having already appeared for Germany at youth level. After making his first appearance for the senior team in 2004, Podolski enjoyed great success with the Germany national team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/07/30/the-three-sides-of-lukas-podolski-international-legend-hometown-hero-and-club-level-enigma/|title=The Three Sides of Lukas Podolski: international legend, hometown hero and club enigma|website=These Football Times|date=30 July 2018|access-date=25 February 2019|last=Munday|first=Billy}}</ref> He was part of the squad in seven major tournaments, winning the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]. He is the [[Germany national football team#Most capped players|third most-capped]] player in German history, with 130 caps, and the [[Germany national football team#Top goalscorers|third-highest goalscorer]] in German history, having scored 49 times.<ref name="Eurosport" /><ref name="Eurosport2">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/hero-s-farewell-for-germany-s-lukas-podolski-in-dortmund_sto6102394/story.shtml|title=Hero's farewell for Germany's Lukas Podolski in Dortmund |website=Eurosport.com|date=21 March 2017 }}</ref>

On 29 May 2013, Podolski scored the fastest goal in Germany national team history, after just nine&nbsp;seconds of the 4–2 friendly win over [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]] (before [[Florian Wirtz]] broke his record in 2024). It was at that time the second fastest international goal in history, second only to [[San Marino national football team|San Marino]]'s [[Davide Gualtieri]]'s 8.3-second strike against [[England national football team|England]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2013-05-30/lukas-podolski-ignores-oliver-bierhoff-criticism-to-move-higher-in-germanys-scoring-list/ |title=Lukas Podolski ignores Oliver Bierhoff criticism to move higher in Germany's scoring list |publisher=ITV |date=30 May 2013 |access-date=29 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903064618/http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2013-05-30/lukas-podolski-ignores-oliver-bierhoff-criticism-to-move-higher-in-germanys-scoring-list/ |archive-date=3 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/283244/report |title=International: Germany scored four goals inside 25 minutes to beat Ecuador 4–2 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=29 May 2013| access-date = 29 August 2014}}</ref> Podolski retired from international football on 22 March 2017 after scoring the winner in a friendly against England.<ref name="Eurosport2" />

== Club career ==

=== 1. FC Köln ===
[[File:Lukas Podolski.JPG|thumb|upright|left|Podolski playing for [[1. FC Köln|Köln]] in 2006]]
Podolski began playing football at the age of six in the youth team of FC 07 Bergheim, where he played until he joined [[1. FC Köln]] at the age of ten. It was there that Podolski's talents were first noticed. In 2003, at the age of 18, Podolski was still part of the club's youth side. At this time the club found itself in dire straits battling to avoid relegation from the [[Bundesliga]]. First team boss [[Marcel Koller]], working on a shoestring budget, invited Podolski to train with the senior players and he made his top flight debut shortly afterwards on 22 November 2003. Even though Köln failed to avoid a drop to the [[2. Bundesliga|2nd division]], Podolski had shown what he could do, scoring 10 goals in his first 19 senior appearances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://skladyfutbol.pl/infopage.php?id=1097|publisher = Skladyfutbol.pl|title=FC Köln 2003-04|date=10 February 2020|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref> This was the best tally by an 18-year-old in the history of the Bundesliga until [[Florian Wirtz]] overtook the record in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/lukas-podolski-5-key-moments-in-the-career-of-a-germany-legend-17570|title=Lukas Podolski: 5 key moments in the career of a Bundesliga and Germany legend|publisher=[[Bundesliga]]|date=2021|access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref>

Though his call up to the [[Germany national football team|German]] [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]] squad brought along interest from several top clubs, Podolski stayed at Köln to help the club gain promotion in the [[2004–05 2. Bundesliga|2004–05 season]]. With 24 goals, Podolski advanced to become the league's best scorer. Somewhat unusually, Podolski remained part of the Germany squad, even though he did not play in the national top-tier league.

After Köln were promoted, the pressure was on Podolski to keep the club in the Bundesliga practically singlehandedly. Podolski managed to score 12 goals in the [[2005–06 Bundesliga|2005–06 season]], but eventually, Köln were relegated again. It became clear that Podolski would not stay again to push them through the [[2006–07 2. Bundesliga|2006–07 season]]—even more so, as Podolski was becoming an integral part of the national team.

=== FC Bayern Munich ===

In 2006, clubs such as [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]], [[Hamburger SV]], [[SV Werder Bremen|Werder Bremen]], and [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] manifested their interest in Podolski, even though he had a contract with [[1. FC Köln]] through 2007. On 1 June 2006, Podolski announced that a transfer agreement had been reached with Bayern Munich, allowing him to join the Bavarian side for the [[2006–07 FC Bayern Munich season|2006–07 season]]. Financial details of the deal were not immediately available, but the transfer fee was speculated to be around €{{Format price|10000000}}. He made his Bundesliga debut for Bayern on 11 August 2006, coming on as a substitute in the 88th minute of a 2–0 victory against [[Borussia Dortmund]]. On 9 September 2006, he came on as a second-half substitute in a [[2006–07 DFB-Pokal|DFB-Pokal]] game versus [[FC St. Pauli]]. Only 26 seconds after the second half started, he scored the [[Equaliser (football)|equaliser]], levelling the match at 1–1. On 14 October 2006, with his first Bundesliga goal for Bayern, Podolski helped to secure the club's 4–2 win over [[Hertha BSC]]. On 26 October 2006, Podolski suffered a serious injury to his right ankle joint caused by teammate, [[Mark van Bommel]], during a training session. Consequently, Podolski missed more than five match weeks. He returned from this injury and scored against [[Alemannia Aachen]].

After Bayern bought in Italian striker [[Luca Toni]] in 2007, Podolski received less playing time due to coach [[Ottmar Hitzfeld]]'s preference to partner [[Miroslav Klose]] and Toni together instead. However, Bayern ended the [[2007–08 FC Bayern Munich season|2007–08 season]] by winning a [[2007–08 Bundesliga|league]] and [[2007–08 DFB-Pokal|cup]] [[Double (association football)|double]], giving Podolski the first major silverware of his career.

Despite former national team coach [[Jürgen Klinsmann]] taking charge of Bayern for the [[2008–09 FC Bayern Munich season|2008–09 season]], Podolski again failed to break into the team's regular first choice line-up. After a rather unhappy spell at Bayern, he returned to former club [[1. FC Köln|Köln]] on 1 July 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transfermarketweb.com/?action=read&idsel=30333|title=GERMANY/ OFFICIAL, Podolski at Koeln next summer|access-date=19 January 2009|date=19 January 2009}}</ref>

=== Return to 1. FC Köln ===

After Podolski was assured by [[Germany national football team|national team]] coach [[Joachim Löw]] that a return to [[1. FC Köln|FC Köln]] would not harm his chances of international football, an agreement to sign him was agreed between [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] and Köln in January 2009, although he would not return to Köln until the start of the summer transfer window. On 1 July, Podolski returned to Köln on a four-year contract, at a reported fee of around €10&nbsp;million, equivalent to the fee Bayern paid to sign him in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football.co.uk/koln/low_assurance_for_podolski_276634.shtml |title=Low assurance for Podolski|publisher=football.co.uk |date=14 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709041142/http://www.football.co.uk/koln/low_assurance_for_podolski_276634.shtml |archive-date=9 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11881/4817070/podolski-seals-cologne-return |title=Podolski seals Cologne return |first=Chris |last=Burton |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=29 August 2014 |date=19 January 2009}}</ref> Köln created a website where people were able to buy pixels of an image of Podolski for €25 per 8x8 pixel square, in order to gather €1 million to reduce the cost of the transfer;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2009/02/04/fc-koln-find-unique-way-of-funding-podolski-transfer|title=FC Köln find unique way of funding Podolski transfer|publisher=thespoiler.co.uk|access-date=2 November 2009|date=4 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pixel.fc-koeln.de/|title=1. FC Köln – Poldi-Pixel|work=pixel.fc-koeln.de|access-date=2 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021041536/http://pixel.fc-koeln.de/|archive-date=21 October 2009}}</ref> Formula One driver and Köln supporter [[Michael Schumacher]] bought several pixels for €875.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/schumacher-helps-fund-podolski-signing |title=Schumacher helps fund Podolski signing |work=FourFourTwo |date=24 February 2009 |access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref>

Having just moved from Bayern Munich, Podolski had a poor first season at Köln, scoring just three times the entire season. One of his goals however, came from a free kick against his former club to salvage a draw.

In the [[2010–11 Bundesliga|2010–11]] season, Podolski scored his 50th Bundesliga goal in the match against [[Hannover 96]] in March 2011. Throughout the entire season, Podolski scored 13 goals and made seven assists.

The [[2011–12 Bundesliga|2011–12]] season was the final season in his second spell for Köln. Despite the team's relegation to the [[2. Bundesliga]], Podolski scored 18 goals in 29 league [[Bundesliga]] appearances.

Out of respect for his loyalty and achievements for the club, [[1. FC Köln]] chose to retire his famous No. 10 shirt as long as he is an active football player.<ref>{{cite web|title=Köln vergibt Podolskis Nummer 10 nicht mehr|trans-title=Cologne doesn't give out Podolskis Number 10 any more|language=de|date=5 May 2012|access-date=11 June 2014|publisher=[[Focus (German magazine)|Focus]]|url=http://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga1/bundesliga-koeln-vergibt-podolskis-nummer-10-nicht-mehr_aid_747897.html}}</ref> However, Köln began assigning the number 10 shirt again at the start of the [[2014–15 Bundesliga]] season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cologne break Lukas Podolski vow|date=7 July 2014|access-date=25 January 2015|publisher=[[ESPN]]|url=http://www.espnfc.com/german-bundesliga/story/1936704/cologne-give-lukas-podolskis-shirt-number-to-patrick-helmes}}</ref>

=== Arsenal ===
==== 2012–13 season ====
[[File:Lukas Podolski, 2012-08-18.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Podolski playing for [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in 2012]]
Podolski was linked with [[Premier League]] club [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] throughout the 2012 winter transfer window but no deal materialised. However, on 30 April 2012, it was officially announced that Podolski had signed for Arsenal on a long-term deal, for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-agree-deal-for-podolski|title=Arsenal agree long-term Podolski deal|date = 30 April 2012|access-date=1 May 2012|publisher=Arsenal F.C}}</ref> On 12 August 2012, Podolski started for Arsenal in a pre-season match against his former club, Köln, scoring twice, once from a penalty in a 4–0 victory.<ref name="David C. Cutler" >{{cite web|last=Cutler|first=David C.|title=Podolski Shines in 4–0 Win Over Cologne in Friendly: Fan's Reaction|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/podolski-shines-4-0-win-over-cologne-friendly-002200521--mls.html|publisher=Yahoo Contributor Network|access-date=17 August 2012}}</ref> Podolski took the number 9 from [[Park Chu-Young]], who had been loaned out to [[Celta de Vigo|Celta Vigo]], after the number 10 shirt vacated by [[Robin van Persie]] was given to [[Jack Wilshere]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/squad-numbers-updated-for-start-of-season|title=Squad numbers updated for start of season|work=Arsenal Football Club|access-date=22 August 2012|date=17 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820042120/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/squad-numbers-updated-for-start-of-season|archive-date=20 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McManus|first=James|title=Wilshere takes Van Persie's No.10 shirt at Arsenal|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/08/17/3313408/wilshere-takes-van-persies-number-10-shirt?source=breakingnews|publisher=Goal.com|access-date=22 August 2012|date=17 August 2012}}</ref> Podolski then started in his first official match for Arsenal against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] on the opening day of the Premier League on 18 August 2012. He played 63 minutes before being subbed off for another 2012 summer signing, [[Olivier Giroud]], in the match which finished 0–0.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clarke|first=Richard|title=Arsenal 0–0 Sunderland|url=http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3517660/first-team/arsenal-v-sunderland?tab=report|work=Arsenal Football Club|access-date=19 August 2012}}</ref> He scored his first goal for Arsenal on 2 September in a 2–0 win against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] at [[Anfield]] whilst also providing the assist for [[Santi Cazorla]] to score his first for the Gunners.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19384131 | title = Liverpool 0–2 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport | date = 2 September 2012 | access-date =2 September 2012 | first = Guy | last = Mowbray}}</ref> Podolski scored his second goal for Arsenal in the following game, scoring a free-kick from 25 yards in a 6–1 victory against [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19528203 | title = Arsenal 6–1 Southampton |publisher=BBC Sport | date = 15 September 2012 | access-date = 15 September 2012}}</ref>

On 18 September 2012, he scored his first [[UEFA Champions League]] goal for the Gunners in a 2–1 away win against [[Montpellier HSC|Montpellier]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Montpellier 1–2 Arsenal – Match Report|url=http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3553311/first-team/montpellier-v-arsenal?tab=report|date=18 September 2012|access-date=18 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920161639/http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3553311/first-team/montpellier-v-arsenal?tab=report|archive-date=20 September 2012}}</ref> In Arsenal's second game in the Champions League, Podolski scored again as Arsenal defeated Greek champions [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]] 3–1 on 3 October.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1179953/podolski,-gervinho-help-arsenal-rip-olympiacos?cc=5901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008000823/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1179953/podolski,-gervinho-help-arsenal-rip-olympiacos?cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 October 2012 |title=Podolski, Gervinho score as Gunners roll |publisher=ESPNFC |date=3 October 2012}}</ref> Podolski then scored his first goal in more than a month against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] in a thrilling 3–3 draw.<ref>{{cite news|title=Arsenal 3–3 Fulham| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20190108| publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 November 2012 | access-date =17 November 2012 | first=John | last=Stanton}}</ref> On 17 November, Podolski scored his fourth League goal as Arsenal defeated [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham]] 5–2 in the [[North London derby]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Arsenal 5–2 Tottenham| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20278355| publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 November 2012 | access-date =17 November 2012 | last=Ornstein |first=David}}</ref> He then helped Arsenal qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League by scoring the second goal as Arsenal beat Montpellier 2–0.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20321623 | title = Arsenal 2–0 Montpellier | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 21 November 2012 | access-date = 21 November 2012}}</ref> Podolski then played a pivotal part in an impressive 5–2 win away from home against [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] at the [[Madejski Stadium]], scoring the first goal and assisting 2 more, which had helped teammate [[Santi Cazorla]] to score his first ever hat-trick. On 30 December 2012, Podolski played an integral part of the team that beat Newcastle 7–3. His first contribution was an incisive pass to [[Theo Walcott]] for Arsenal's first goal. In addition, due to Newcastle's failure to clear the ball off their line, Podolski pounced on a header for his last goal of 2012. He was substituted for [[Aaron Ramsey]] to a standing ovation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Arsenal breeze past Newcastle in a 7–3 win| url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-7-3-newcastle-theo-walcott-1511501| publisher=Mirror.co.uk|date=30 December 2012 | access-date =31 December 2012}}</ref> On 23 January 2013, Podolski produced an impressive performance as Arsenal beat West Ham 5–1, scoring one goal and setting up three others. On 2 February 2013, Podolski scored the only goal via a deflected free-kick to earn the Gunners a 1–0 victory over [[Stoke City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21209193|title=Arsenal 1–0 Stoke|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=2 February 2013|access-date=2 February 2013}}</ref> On 13 April, Podolski sealed a 3–1 win over [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] by scoring his first goal since February.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22049748|title=Arsenal 3–1 Norwich|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=13 April 2013|access-date=15 May 2013|last=Chase|first=Graham}}</ref> After Giroud's three-game ban appeal was rejected,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/news/story/_/id/1422914/fa-turns-down-arsenal's-olivier-giroud's-red-card-appeal|title=FA turns down Giroud appeal|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=23 April 2013|access-date=15 May 2013}}</ref> Podolski began playing as a centre forward, starting with the 1–1 draw against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2013/04/28/3937770/team-news-van-persie-starts-for-manchester-united-against?ICID=OP|title=TEAM NEWS: Van Persie starts for Manchester United against Arsenal|publisher=Goal.com|date=28 April 2013|access-date=15 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22237319|title=Arsenal 1–1 Manchester United|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=28 April 2013|access-date=15 May 2013|last=McNulty|first=Phil}}</ref> Podolski then scored twice in a 4–1 victory over [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]], resulting in Wigan's relegation from the Premier League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22430454|title=Arsenal 4–1 Wigan|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=14 May 2013|access-date=15 May 2013|last=McKenna|first=Chris}}</ref> Podolski ended his first season in Arsenal with a total of 16 goals and 11 assists.

==== 2013–14 season ====
[[File:Podolski (11691855233).jpg|thumb|upright|right|Podolski warming up for Arsenal in 2014]]
On 24 August 2013, Podolski netted his first goals of the [[2013–14 Arsenal F.C. season|2013–14 season]], scoring twice for Arsenal away at [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] in a 3–1 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23744679|title=Fulham 1–3 Arsenal|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=24 August 2013|access-date=28 September 2013|last=Philips|first=Owen}}</ref> However, he was injured in his next match in the [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] qualifier against [[Fenerbahçe S.K. (football)|Fenerbahçe]] and was ruled out for 10 weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23859274|title=Lukas Podolski out for up to 10 weeks with hamstring injury|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=29 August 2013 | access-date = 17 October 2013}}</ref>
Podolski returned for Arsenal against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] in a 3–1 win on Boxing Day, scoring the team's third goal in the 79th minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25442146|title=West Ham 1–3 Arsenal|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=26 December 2013 | access-date = 27 December 2013}}</ref> Podolski netted his first two goals in 2014 with a brace in a 4–0 FA Cup fourth round win over [[Coventry City]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25771717 | title = Arsenal 4–0 Coventry | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 24 January 2014 | access-date = 20 April 2014}}</ref> He later scored in a 2–1 [[2013–14 FA Cup|FA Cup]] win over [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in February to send Arsenal through to the quarter-finals of the competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26106019|title=Arsenal 2–1 Liverpool|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=16 February 2014 | access-date = 25 February 2014}}</ref>

Podolski scored two goals in March as he began to feature more regularly in the Gunners starting line-up. His first was a goal against his former club, [[FC Bayern Munich]], in the return leg of the [[UEFA Champions League]] last 16 tie. Podolski's goal proved nothing more than a consolation, as Arsenal crashed out of Europe, losing 3–1 on aggregate to the defending champions.

His second goal in March was an equaliser against [[Swansea City]] in the [[Premier League]] clash. A minute after scoring, Podolski provided an assist for teammate Olivier Giroud, who gave Arsenal a 2–1 lead. However, a last minute own goal by [[Mathieu Flamini]] meant the game finished 2–2 and effectively ended Arsenal's hopes of lifting the Premier League title for another season.

Arsenal qualified for the FA Cup final on 12 April following a win against Wigan, in which Podolski was substituted after 68 minutes. He scored twice in Arsenal's next game, a 3–1 win against West Ham United at the [[Emirates Stadium]] and followed that display up with another brace in Arsenal's next game, a 3–0 win away to [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]]. He started in the [[2014 FA Cup Final]] against [[Hull City]] and left the pitch for [[Yaya Sanogo]] after 61 minutes as Hull led Arsenal 1–2. Arsenal went on to win the game 3–2 after extra time, thereby ending the club's nine-year trophy drought.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27354148| title=Arsenal 3–2 Hull|publisher=BBC Sport| access-date = 18 May 2014 | date = 17 May 2014 | first = Phil | last = McNulty}}</ref>

==== 2014–15 season ====

After winning the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] for Germany, Podolski and compatriots [[Per Mertesacker]] and [[Mesut Özil]] were excused by Arsenal from the [[2014 FA Community Shield|2014 Community Shield]], which they won 3–0 against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sanghera|first1=Mandeep|title=Arsenal 3–0 Man City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28647186|access-date=6 January 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=10 August 2014}}</ref>

In November, Podolski spoke about his unrest with his current role with Arsenal and his lack of game time, saying: "Of course I am not happy with my situation right now. I can't be satisfied with that. It is hard when you can't do what you love."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yourdailyarsenal.com/all-posts/podolski-unhappy-with-arsenal-situation| title=Podolski unhappy with Arsenal situation|publisher=Your Daily Arsenal | date = 11 November 2014 | access-date = 5 December 2014}}</ref>

==== Inter Milan (loan) ====

On 5 January 2015, Arsenal announced that Podolski had completed a move to [[Serie A]] club [[Inter Milan]] on loan for the remainder of the [[2014–15 Serie A|2014–15 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150105/podolski-completes-inter-milan-loan-move |title=Podolski completes Inter Milan loan move |date=5 January 2015 |publisher=[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal Football Club]] |access-date=5 January 2015}}</ref> He joined the side for training after the deal was finalised ahead of their league match away to [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] on 6 January.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inter.it/en/news/47255 |title=Podolski joins squad for training ahead of Juve clash |date=5 January 2015 |publisher=[[Inter Milan]] |access-date=5 January 2015}}</ref> In the 1–1 draw at the [[Juventus Stadium]], he came on as a substitute for [[Zdravko Kuzmanović]] after 54 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Juventus 1–1 Inter Milan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30687617|access-date=7 January 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=6 January 2014}}</ref> Podolski was not named in Inter's squad list for the knockout stages of the [[UEFA Europa League]] with coach Roberto Mancini preferring [[Xherdan Shaqiri]] over the German international.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lukas Podolski not in Inter's Europa squad, Xherdan Shaqiri included|url=http://www.espnfc.com/internazionale/story/2281151/lukas-podolski-left-out-of-inter-milans-europa-league-squadxherdan-shaqiri-included|access-date=5 February 2015|work=espnfc|date=5 February 2015}}</ref> On 28 April 2015, Podolski scored his only goal with Inter to win the match 2–1 in the 65th minute against [[Udinese Calcio|Udinese]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2446488-inter-milan-flop-lukas-podolski-scores-a-belter-to-get-off-the-mark-for-the-club | title = Inter Milan Flop Lukas Podolski Scores a Belter to Get off the Mark for the Club | publisher = bleacherreport.com | date = 28 April 2015 | access-date = 28 April 2015 | first = Sean | last = Swaby}}</ref>

=== Galatasaray ===
Podolski signed a three-year contract with Turkish club [[Galatasaray S.K. (football team)|Galatasaray]] on 4 July 2015 for an initial fee of £1.8 million, after which the [[Süper Lig]] champions will pay Arsenal £2.1 million for three consecutive seasons thereafter.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/9903255/lukas-podolski-completes-galatasaray-move-from-arsenal|title=Lukas Podolski completes Galatasaray move from Arsenal|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=4 July 2015|access-date=4 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.galatasaray.org/haber/futbol/lukas-podolski-galatasarayda/27306 | title = Lukas Podolski Galatasaray'da | language = tr | website = Galatasaray | date = 4 July 2015 | access-date = 4 July 2015}}</ref> He instantly won the [[Turkish Super Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/sports/football-galatasaray-win-2015-turkish-super-cup/18369|title=Football: Galatasaray win 2015 Turkish Super Cup|publisher=Anadolu Post|date=8 August 2015|access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref> In the final of the [[Turkish Cup]] on 26 May 2016, he scored the decisive goal for Galatasaray in the 1–0 win over [[Fenerbahçe S.K. (football)|Fenerbahçe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageID=29&macId=156859|title=Football: Match report|publisher=[[Turkish Football Federation|TFF]]|date=26 May 2015|access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref>

=== Vissel Kobe ===
[[File:Lukas Podolski (37322776096) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright|Podolski playing for [[Vissel Kobe]] in 2017]]
On 2 March 2017, Podolski announced his transfer to Japanese club [[Vissel Kobe]] after the completion of the Turkish season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/668872/artikel_perfekt_podolski-wechselt-im-sommer-nach-japan.html |title=Perfekt: Podolski wechselt im Sommer nach Japan |publisher=kicker.de |language=de |date=2 March 2017 |access-date=2 March 2017}}</ref> On 29 July 2017, he played his first match for Vissel Kobe and scored two goals in a 3–1 win over [[Omiya Ardija]] in the [[J1 League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/lukas-podolski-vissel-kobe-jleague/wnw8roteic7b1ab39f23bpevh|title=Podolski's debut double earns Vissel Kobe victory | website = Goal.com | date = 30 July 2017 | access-date = 7 December 2019}}</ref> On 11 August 2018, he assisted [[Andrés Iniesta]]'s first goal in the J1 League in a 2–1 win over [[Jubilo Iwata]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.soccer-king.jp/news/japan/jl/20180811/801648.html |title=イニエスタ、磐田戦でJリーグ初ゴール！ 主将ポドルスキが得点を演出 |publisher=SOCCERKING |date=11 August 2018 |access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>

On 8 December 2019, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 win over [[Júbilo Iwata]].<ref name="Daily"/> It was his first hat-trick in the J1 League.<ref name="Daily">{{cite web |url= https://www.daily.co.jp/soccer/2019/12/08/0012941473.shtml |title= Ｊ１神戸 ポドルスキが来日初ハット 逆転残留へアピール「話があれば前向きに」 |website= Daily Sports online |publisher=Daily Sports |date=8 December 2019 |access-date=8 December 2019 }}</ref>

On 1 January 2020, Podolski won his first trophy in Japan, starting in Vissel Kobe's 2–0 victory over [[Kashima Antlers]] in the final of the [[2019 Emperor's Cup]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jfa.jp/match/emperorscup_2019/schedule_result/pdf/m87.pdf|title=2019 Emperor's Cup Final Report|website=JFA|date=1 January 2020|access-date=2 January 2020|language=ja}}</ref> it was also the club's first ever major trophy.<ref name="EmperorsCup">{{cite web|url=https://en.as.com/en/2020/01/01/football/1577885627_719505.html|title=Andrés Iniesta skippers Vissel Kobe to first trophy in David Villa's final match|website=AS|date=1 January 2020|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>

=== Antalyaspor ===
On 23 January 2020, Podolski joined [[Antalyaspor]] on a one-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Antalyaspor/status/1220353528037826561|title=Willkommen - Welcome - Hoş Geldin @Podolski10 #BizAntalyasporuz|website=Twitter|date=23 January 2020|access-date=23 January 2020}}</ref>

=== Górnik Zabrze ===
On 6 July 2021, Podolski was announced by the [[Ekstraklasa]] club [[Górnik Zabrze]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/GornikZabrzeSSA/status/1412320414714548226? |title=Górnik Zabrze Twitter status |website=Twitter |date=6 July 2021 |access-date=6 July 2021 |language=pl |publisher=[[Górnik Zabrze]]}}</ref> having signed a one-year contract that comes with the option of another year,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dailycannon.com/2021/07/lukas-podolski-gornik-zabrze/ |title=Lukas Podolski signs for Górnik Zabrze |website=dailycannon.com |date=6 July 2021 |access-date=6 July 2021 |language=en }}</ref> and with the club being probably his last club before retiring, after stating it's his dream to finish his footballing career playing for Górnik.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lukas-podolski.com/i-like-detail-en/alias/gornik-zabrze.html |title=Górnik Zabrze - Lukas Podolski |website=www.lukas-podolski.com |date=6 July 2021 |access-date=6 July 2021 |language=en |publisher=Lukas Podolski }}</ref> He made his debut on 30 July, coming on as a substitute in a 3–1 league home defeat against [[Lech Poznań]] at the [[Arena Zabrze]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polsatsport.pl/wiadomosc/2021-07-30/pko-bp-ekstraklasa-nieudany-debiut-lukasa-podolskiego-gornik-zabrze-przegral-z-lechem-poznan/ |title=PKO BP Ekstraklasa: Nieudany debiut Lukasa Podolskiego. Górnik Zabrze przegrał z Lechem Poznań |website=www.polsatsport.pl |date=30 July 2021 |access-date=30 September 2021 |language=pl}}</ref> On 21 November 2021, he scored his first goal for Górnik Zabrze, in the [[Ekstraklasa]] home fixture against [[Legia Warsaw]] 3–2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polsatsport.pl/wiadomosc/2021-11-21/gol-lukasa-podolskiego-w-meczu-gornik-zabrze-legia-warszawa/|title=Gol Lukasa Podolskiego w meczu Górnik Zabrze - Legia Warszawa|trans-title=Lukas Podolski's goal in the game Górnik Zabrze - Legia Warsaw|website=www.polsatsport.pl |date=21 November 2021 |access-date=23 November 2021 |language=pl}}</ref>

On 19 May 2022, Podolski agreed to a one-year contract extension.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/auch-mit-37-noch-nicht-fertig-podolski-verlaengert-in-zabrze-902805/artikel |title=Auch mit 37 noch nicht fertig: Podolski verlängert in Zabrze |publisher=Kicker |language=de |date=19 May 2022 }}</ref> On 5 November 2022, he scored a goal from inside his own half in a 4–1 away win against [[Pogoń Szczecin]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportschau.de/tor-des-monats/archiv/chronik20er/tdm-november-2022-102.html |title=Podolski gewinnt zum 13. Mal |publisher=Sportschau |language=de |date=17 December 2022 }}</ref> On 19 May 2023, he extended his Górnik contract until 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportschau.de/newsticker/dpa-podolski-macht-weiter-zabrze-vertrag-bis-2025-verlaengert-100.html |title=Podolski macht weiter: Zabrze-Vertrag bis 2025 verlängert |publisher=Sportschau |language=de |date=19 May 2023 }}</ref>

== International career ==
=== International debut and breakthrough ===
In late 2003, after several impressive performances in his first few [[Bundesliga]] games, Polish media suggested then-Poland national team coach [[Paweł Janas]] should check Podolski out, as he was still eligible to play for Poland. Janas ignored the request stating in one of the press interviews that "as for today we have much better strikers in Poland and I don't see a reason to call up a player just because he played one or two good matches in the Bundesliga. He's not even a regular starter at his club." By that time Podolski was still interested in representing [[Poland national football team|Poland]], but as the season progressed German media increasingly highlighted his performances to suggest he should be called up to the [[Germany national football team|Germany national team]]. When his full potential was finally unveiled, he had already decided to represent Germany. At the end of the season Köln were relegated, but Podolski impressed so much, that he held his debut for [[Rudi Völler]]'s Germany on 6 June 2004, at age 19, in [[Kaiserslautern]] against [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] with a late substitute appearance. He had become the first second-division player since 1975 to break into the national team.

=== Euro 2004 ===
Podolski played for [[Germany national football team|Germany]] at [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]], where he was the squad's youngest player. He made one substitute appearance in the game against the [[Czech national football team|Czech Republic]], when he came on for [[Torsten Frings]] at half-time.

=== 2006 World Cup ===
[[File:Lukas Podolski Germany 2006.jpg|thumb|right|Podolski playing for [[Germany national football team|Germany]] in 2006]]
Podolski was selected in the [[Germany 2006 squads|Germany squad]] for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]], where he partnered [[Miroslav Klose]] as the attack duo in the starting lineup. He scored his first World Cup goal in Germany's third group match against [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]], and both goals in the 2–0 win over [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] in the round of 16. He became the first player since 1962 to score two goals in the first 12 minutes of a World Cup match and only the third player ever to accomplish the feat.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}} Germany finished third in the tournament, and while his teammate Miroslav Klose won the [[World Cup Golden Boot#Golden Boot|Golden Boot competition]], Podolski's three goals tied him for second place with [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]], [[Thierry Henry]], [[Fernando Torres]], [[David Villa]], [[Maxi Rodríguez]], [[Hernán Crespo]] and [[Zinedine Zidane]]. Podolski was named the World Cup's [[FIFA World Cup awards#FIFA Young Player Award|Best Young Player]] ahead of players like [[Lionel Messi]] and [[Cristiano Ronaldo]].

=== UEFA Euro 2008 ===
In a [[UEFA Euro 2008]] qualifying game against [[San Marino national football team|San Marino]] in [[Serravalle, San Marino|Serravalle]] Podolski netted four goals in Germany's record 13–0 thrashing. He is one of only four German players to score four goals in an international match. He was the third after [[Gerd Müller]] and [[Michael Ballack]], and since this, [[Mario Gómez]] has accomplished this feat. In Germany's 4–1 win against [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]] in [[Bratislava]] on 11 October 2006, he scored the first and the last German goal, both on assists by Miroslav Klose. He has continued to score goals at an astonishing rate. On 17 November 2007, in a [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group D|Euro qualifier]] match against [[Cyprus national football team|Cyprus]], Podolski was involved in every goal in Germany's 4–0 victory. This was one of Podolski's best performances for the national team. Even though he played out of his natural position, playing at left midfield, he netted one goal himself and was voted Man of the Match.

On 8 June 2008, Podolski made his Euro 2008 entrance against debutants [[Poland national football team|Poland]] in a [[UEFA Euro 2008 Group B|Group B]] match in [[Klagenfurt]], Austria. He scored both goals in a 2–0 victory. He [[Goal celebration#Notable non-celebrations|avoided celebrating his goals]], however, to show respect for his country of birth. After the game he gave an emotional interview on Polish television. The goals put him in the lead in the Euro 2008 goal-scoring list for two days until [[David Villa]] scored a hat-trick for [[Spain national football team|Spain]] against [[Russia national football team|Russia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match=300685/report=rp.html|title=Podolski double gets Germany going|access-date=1 November 2008|publisher=UEFA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108021935/http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match=300685/report=rp.html|archive-date=8 January 2009}}</ref>

On 12 June, Germany played [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] in their second Group B match, again in Klagenfurt. Podolski scored the German team's only goal of the game in the 79th minute, by which time the Croatians were already leading 2–0. He did not celebrate this goal either despite it putting him joint first on the Euro 2008 goal-scoring list with [[David Villa]]. Podolski's goal was not enough to snatch a draw, with Croatia holding out for a 2–1 victory over Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match=300693/report=rp.html|title=Olić kick-starts Croatian celebrations|access-date=1 November 2008|publisher=UEFA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108043524/http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match=300693/report=rp.html|archive-date=8 January 2009}}</ref> On 19 June, Germany played Portugal in the quarterfinal in [[Basel]], Podolski was instrumental in the first goal, whipping a cross into the penalty box that was slotted home by [[Bastian Schweinsteiger]] in the 22nd minute to give Germany a 1–0 lead.

On the international scene, Podolski seemed to be gravitating towards an attacking left midfield role from his traditional place as a striker. Initially, Löw had moved him to the wing in order to accommodate the partnership of Klose and [[Mario Gómez]] up front. When this backfired, he resumed his forward position in the [[UEFA Euro 2008 Final]], but was unable to prevent Germany losing 1–0 to [[Spain national football team|Spain]]. In a controversial incident, Podolski was headbutted by Spanish midfielder [[David Silva]], although this went unnoticed by the referee and his assistants, and went unpenalised.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 June 2008|title=Euro 2008: Lehmann lays into 'biased' referee following Germany defeat|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jun/30/euro2008final.lehmannrefbias|access-date=24 August 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> Podolski was named in the 23-man squad as one of the players of the tournament along with countrymen [[Michael Ballack]] and [[Philipp Lahm]].

=== 2010 World Cup ===
[[File:Özil podolski.JPG|thumb|upright|Podolski (right) celebrating with [[Mesut Özil]] after Germany's win against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]]]]
On 6 September 2008, Podolski scored the opening two goals in Germany's first [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] qualifier against [[Liechtenstein national football team|Liechtenstein]] in [[Rheinpark Stadion|Vaduz]]; a match that ended in a 6–0 victory for the Germans. He scored the opener in the 2–1 home win over [[Russian national football team|Russia]] on 11 October, when he turned [[Vasili Berezutski]] on the edge of the penalty area, before unleashing a powerful shot past Russia's goalkeeper [[Igor Akinfeev|Akinfeev]]. He finished the qualification campaign second highest scorer of [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 4|Group 4]] with six goals, behind teammate Miroslav Klose's 7. During one of the qualifying matches, he was involved in a bust-up with team captain Michael Ballack.

On 13 June 2010, Podolski, who had become accustomed to his position as a winger scored the first goal in Germany's World Cup opening game in a 4–0 win against Australia, before assisting teammate [[Thomas Müller]] for the third goal. On 18 June, Podolski missed a second-half penalty after a handling infraction committed by [[Nemanja Vidić]] in the 1–0 loss to Serbia. The German team had gone down to 10-men after a second yellow was shown to Miroslav Klose in the 36th minute. Even though the Germans played with 10-men throughout the rest of the game, Podolski had numerous chances on goal. However, he was unable to capitalize, and the game ended in a surprise defeat for the Germans. However, he managed to score against [[England national football team|England]] in the last 16, giving Germany a 2–0 advantage in the first half. They went on to beat England 4–1.<ref>{{cite news|first=Phil|last=McNulty|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_51/default.stm|title=Germany 4–1 England|date=27 June 2010|access-date=28 June 2010|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> In the quarter-final against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], Podolski provided the assist for the first of Klose's two goals, bringing the score to 2–0. The Germans won the match 4–0.<ref>{{cite news|title=Argentina 0–4 Germany|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_59/default.stm|first=Chris|last=Bevan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 July 2010|access-date=3 July 2010}}</ref>

=== Euro 2012 ===
During [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying|qualification]], Podolski provided assists for three goals and scored three times, helping Germany to win all ten matches of their qualification campaign. During [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]], Podolski started all three of Germany's Group B games, the third being his 100th appearance for Germany; a game in which he also scored. Podolski's last game at Euro 2012 was the successful [[Italy national football team|Italy national team]] in the semi-finals against Germany, 2–1.

=== 2014 World Cup ===
[[File:Autogramm vom Weltmeister.jpg|thumb|upright|Podolski after winning the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]]]]
Podolski was part of Germany's [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]] campaign. Prior to the tournament, he played in five qualification matches. In the World Cup finals in Brazil, he appeared in the victories over USA and Portugal in the group stages, but did not play the full 90 minutes.<ref name="UEFA profile">{{cite web | url = http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/teams/player=62594/ | title = Lukas Podolski | publisher = UEFA.com | access-date = 16 April 2016}}</ref> Germany went on to become World Champions.

=== Euro 2016 and retirement ===
Podolski was included in the squad for [[UEFA Euro 2016]]. He made a substitute appearance against [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]] during the tournament. After the tournament, on 15 August, he announced his retirement from international football (effective 23 March 2017) saying he wants to shift his focus and spend more time with his family.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37084336|title=Lukas Podolski: Germany striker retires from international football|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=15 August 2016 | access-date = 15 August 2016}}</ref> He was given his last ever international appearance for Germany against [[England national football team|England]] on 22 March 2017 where he scored the winning goal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lukas Podolski nets Germany winner vs. England in final game|url=http://www.espnfc.us/report?gameId=467837|date=22 March 2017|access-date=22 March 2017|publisher=[[ESPN FC]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39275693|title=Gareth Southgate suffered his first defeat in charge of England as Lukas Podolski's spectacular second-half winner provided a fitting farewell to his Germany career in Dortmund|date=22 March 2017|access-date=22 March 2017|first=Phil|last=McNulty|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref>

== Style of play ==

Podolski possesses an explosive and accurate shot, reaching speeds of nearly {{convert|100|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-lukas-podolskis-finishing-praised-1331304|title=Bould worships Pod: Arsenal new boy's finishing hailed after Euro win|date=18 September 2012|publisher=Mirror|access-date=24 May 2018}}</ref> Arsene Wenger described Podolski saying "He's certainly one of the best finishers I've ever seen...If there's one you want to see in front of the goal in a shooting position, it's him".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-podolski-is-a-great-finisher|title=Wenger – Podolski is a great finisher|website=www.arsenal.com|access-date=28 September 2017}}</ref> In his early years, Podolski possessed explosive speed with great acceleration which was later affected by some lengthy injuries. He usually cuts inside either to shoot or pass the ball. Podolski is a physically strong player able to hold up the ball and produce key passes. Podolski has good dribbling and technical skills and is also a good crosser of the ball having set up many goals for his teammates from the left side. He is a penalty specialist, having missed only two penalties in his career.

== Career statistics ==

=== Club ===
<!-- Please update the date when you update the stats. -->
{{updated|match played 25 September 2024}}<ref name="Lukas Podolski » Club matches">{{cite web|title=Lukas Podolski » Club matches|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/lukas-podolski/2/|website=WorldFootball.net|access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="Soccerway">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/lukas-podolski/2053/|title=L. Podolski|website=Soccerway|access-date=2 September 2014}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[FA Cup]], [[DFB-Pokal]], [[Coppa Italia]], [[Turkish Cup]], [[Emperor's Cup]] and [[Polish Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[EFL Cup]], [[DFL-Ligapokal]] and [[J.League Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental{{efn|Includes [[UEFA Champions League]] and [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup and Europa League]]}}
!colspan="2"|Other{{efn|Includes [[Turkish Super Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[1. FC Köln II]]
|[[2002–03 Regionalliga|2002–03]]
|[[Regionalliga Nord]]
|1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
|[[2003–04 Regionalliga|2003–04]]
|Regionalliga Nord
|1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[1. FC Köln]]
|[[2003–04 Bundesliga|2003–04]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|19||10||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||20||10
|-
|[[2004–05 2. Bundesliga|2004–05]]
|[[2. Bundesliga]]
|30||24||2||5||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||32||29
|-
|[[2005–06 Bundesliga|2005–06]]
|Bundesliga
|32||12||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||33||12
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!81!!46!!4!!5!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!85!!51
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]
|[[2006–07 Bundesliga|2006–07]]
|Bundesliga
|22||4||3||2||2||0||7||1||colspan="2"|—||34||7
|-
|[[2007–08 Bundesliga|2007–08]]
|Bundesliga
|25||5||4||0||0||0||12||5||colspan="2"|—||41||10
|-
|[[2008–09 Bundesliga|2008–09]]
|Bundesliga
|24||6||3||1||colspan="2"|—||4||2||colspan="2"|—||31||9
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!71!!15!!10!!3!!2!!0!!23!!8!!0!!0!!106!!26
|-
|[[FC Bayern Munich II|Bayern Munich II]]
|[[2007–08 Regionalliga|2007–08]]
|[[Regionalliga Süd (1994–2012)|Regionalliga Süd]]
|2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||0
|-
|rowspan="4"|1. FC Köln
|[[2009–10 Bundesliga|2009–10]]
|Bundesliga
|27||2||4||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||3
|-
|[[2010–11 Bundesliga|2010–11]]
|Bundesliga
|32||13||2||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||34||14
|-
|[[2011–12 Bundesliga|2011–12]]
|Bundesliga
|29||18||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||18
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!88!!33!!8!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!96!!35
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|[[2012–13 Arsenal F.C. season|2012–13]]
|[[Premier League]]
|33||11||2||1||1||0||6||4||colspan="2"|—||42||16
|-
|[[2013–14 Arsenal F.C. season|2013–14]]
|Premier League
|20||8||4||3||0||0||3||1||colspan="2"|—||27||12
|-
|[[2014–15 Arsenal F.C. season|2014–15]]
|Premier League
|7||0||0||0||1||0||5||3||colspan="2"|—||13||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!60!!19!!6!!4!!2!!0!!14!!8!!0!!0!!82!!31
|-
|[[Inter Milan]] (loan)
|[[2014–15 Inter Milan season|2014–15]]
|[[Serie A]]
|17||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||18||1
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]]
|[[2015–16 Galatasaray S.K. season|2015–16]]
|[[Süper Lig]]
|30||13||4||2||colspan="2"|—||8||2||1||0||43||17
|-
|[[2016–17 Galatasaray S.K. season|2016–17]]
|Süper Lig
|26||7||5||10||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0||32||17
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!56!!20!!9!!12!!0!!0!!8!!2!!2!!0!!75!!34
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Vissel Kobe]]
|[[2017 Vissel Kobe season|2017]]
|[[J1 League]]
|15||5||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||18||5
|-
|[[2018 Vissel Kobe season|2018]]
|J1 League
|24||5||1||0||1||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||26||7
|-
||[[2019 Vissel Kobe season|2019]]
|J1 League
|13||5||3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!52!!15!!5!!0!!3!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!60!!17
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Antalyaspor]]
|[[2019–20 Antalyaspor season|2019–20]]
|Süper Lig
|9||2||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||11||2
|-
|[[2020–21 Antalyaspor season|2020–21]]
|Süper Lig
|31||4||5||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||36||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!40!!6!!7!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!47!!7
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Górnik Zabrze]]
|[[2021–22 Ekstraklasa|2021–22]]
|[[Ekstraklasa]]
|27||9||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||30||9
|-
|[[2022–23 Ekstraklasa|2022–23]]
|Ekstraklasa
|29||6||2||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||8
|-
|[[2023–24 Ekstraklasa|2023–24]]
|Ekstraklasa
|25||3||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||27||3
|-
|[[2024–25 Ekstraklasa|2024–25]]
|Ekstraklasa
|8||2||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||9||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!89!!20!!8!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!97!!22
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!558!!175!!58!!29!!7!!2!!45!!18!!2!!0!!670!!224
|}

{{notelist}}

=== International ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT player|7818|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/podolski-intlg.html | title = Lukas Podolski – Goals in International Matches | website = [[RSSSF]] | access-date = 8 May 2011}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="14"|[[Germany national football team|Germany]]
| 2004 || 8 || 2
|-
| 2005 || 12 || 8
|-
| 2006 || 17 || 12
|-
| 2007 || 7 || 2
|-
| 2008 || 16 || 7
|-
| 2009 || 9 || 6
|-
| 2010 || 14 || 5
|-
| 2011 || 12 || 1
|-
| 2012 || 11 || 1
|-
| 2013 || 5 || 2
|-
| 2014 || 10 || 1
|-
| 2015 || 5 || 1
|-
| 2016 || 3 || 0
|-
| 2017 || 1 || 1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total !! 130 !! 49
|}

:''Scores and results list Germany's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Podolski goal''.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Lukas Podolski
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1
| rowspan="2"|21 December 2004 || rowspan="2"|[[Rajamangala Stadium]], [[Bangkok]], Thailand || rowspan="2"|{{fb|THA}} || align="center"|3–1 || rowspan="2" align="center"|5–1 || rowspan="2"|[[Exhibition game#Association football|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || align="center"|5–1
|-
| align="center"|3 || 26 March 2005 || [[Bežigrad Stadium]], [[Ljubljana]], Slovenia || {{fb|SVN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|4 || 4 June 2005 || [[Windsor Park]], [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland || {{fb|NIR}} || align="center"|4–1 || align="center"|4–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|5 || 15 June 2005 || [[Commerzbank-Arena]], Frankfurt, Germany || {{fb|AUS}} || align="center"|4–2 || align="center"|4–3 || [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|6 || 25 June 2005 || [[Frankenstadion]], [[Nuremberg]], Germany || {{fb|BRA}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|2–3 || 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup
|-
| align="center"|7 || 29 June 2005 || [[Zentralstadion]], Leipzig, Germany || {{fb|MEX}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|4–3 || 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup
|-
| align="center"|8
| rowspan="3"|7 September 2005 || rowspan="3"|[[Olympiastadion Berlin]], Berlin, Germany || rowspan="3"|{{fb|RSA}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="3" align="center"|4–2 || rowspan="3"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|9 || align="center"|3–1
|-
| align="center"|10 || align="center"|4–2
|-
| align="center"|11
| rowspan="2"|27 May 2006 || rowspan="2"|[[Dreisamstadion|Badenova Stadion]], [[Freiburg]], Germany || rowspan="2"|{{fb|LUX}} || align="center"|3–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|7–0 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|12 || align="center"|5–0
|-
| align="center"|13 || 20 June 2006 || [[Olympiastadion Berlin]], Berlin, Germany || {{fb|ECU}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|14
| rowspan="2"|24 June 2006 || rowspan="2"|[[Allianz Arena]], Munich, Germany || rowspan="2"|{{fb|SWE}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|2–0 || rowspan="2"|2006 FIFA World Cup
|-
| align="center"|15 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|16 || 2 September 2006 || [[Gottlieb Daimler Stadion]], [[Stuttgart]], Germany || {{fb|IRL}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying]]
|-
| align="center"|17
| rowspan="4"|6 September 2006 || rowspan="4"|[[Stadio Olimpico (Serravalle)|Stadio Olimpico]], [[Serravalle, San Marino]] || rowspan="4"|{{fb|SMR|1862}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="4" align="center"|13–0 || rowspan="4"|UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
|-
| align="center"|18 || align="center"|5–0
|-
| align="center"|19 || align="center"|8–0
|-
| align="center"|20 || align="center"|10–0
|-
| align="center"|21
| rowspan="2"|11 October 2006 || rowspan="2"|[[Tehelné Pole Stadion]], [[Bratislava]], Slovakia || rowspan="2"|{{fb|SVK}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|4–1 || rowspan="2"|UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
|-
| align="center"|22 || align="center"|4–1
|-
| align="center"|23 || 12 September 2007 || [[Rhein-Energie Stadion]], [[Cologne]], Germany || {{fb|ROM}} || align="center"|3–1 || align="center"|3–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|24 || 17 November 2007 || [[AWD Arena]], [[Hanover]], Germany || {{fb|CYP}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|4–0 || UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
|-
| align="center"|25 || 26 March 2008 || [[St. Jakob Park]], [[Basel]], Switzerland || {{fb|SUI}} || align="center"|4–0 || align="center"|4–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|26
| rowspan="2"|8 June 2008 || rowspan="2"|[[Wörthersee Stadion]], [[Klagenfurt]], Austria || rowspan="2"|{{fb|POL}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|2–0 || rowspan="2"|[[UEFA Euro 2008]]
|-
| align="center"|27 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|28 || 12 June 2008 || Wörthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt, Austria || {{fb|CRO}} || align="center"|1–2 || align="center"|1–2 || UEFA Euro 2008
|-
| align="center"|29
| rowspan="2"|6 September 2008 || rowspan="2"|[[Rheinpark Stadion]], [[Vaduz]], Liechtenstein || rowspan="2"|{{fb|LIE}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|6–0 || rowspan="2"|[[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|30 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|31 || 11 October 2008 || [[Signal Iduna Park]], [[Dortmund]], Germany || {{fb|RUS}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–1 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|32 || 28 March 2009 || [[Zentralstadion]], Leipzig, Germany || {{fb|LIE}} || align="center"|4–0 || align="center"|4–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|33 || 29 May 2009 || [[Shanghai Stadium]], Shanghai, China || {{fb|CHN}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|34 || 9 September 2009 || [[AWD-Arena]], [[Hanover]], Germany || {{fb|AZE}} || align="center"|4–0 || align="center"|4–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|35 || 14 October 2009 || [[HSH Nordbank Arena]], Hamburg, Germany || {{fb|FIN}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–1 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|36
| rowspan="2"|18 November 2009 || rowspan="2" |[[Veltins-Arena]], [[Gelsenkirchen]], Germany || rowspan="2"|{{fb|CIV}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|2–2 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|37 || align="center"|2–2
|-
| align="center"|38 || 29 May 2010 || [[Stadium Puskás Ferenc]], [[Budapest]], Hungary || {{fb|HUN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|39 || 13 June 2010 || [[Moses Mabhida Stadium]], [[Durban]], South Africa || {{fb|AUS}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|4–0 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|40 || 28 June 2010 || [[Free State Stadium]], [[Bloemfontein]], South Africa || {{fb|ENG}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|4–1 || 2010 FIFA World Cup
|-
| align="center"|41 || 7 September 2010 || [[RheinEnergieStadion]], [[Cologne]], Germany || {{fb|AZE}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|6–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying]]
|-
| align="center"|42 || 12 October 2010 || [[Astana Arena]], [[Astana]], Kazakhstan || {{fb|KAZ}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|3–0 || UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
|-
| align="center"|43 || 2 September 2011 || [[Veltins-Arena]], [[Gelsenkirchen]], Germany || {{fb|AUT}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|6–2 || UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
|-
| align="center"|44 || 17 June 2012 || [[Arena Lviv]], [[Lviv]], Ukraine || {{fb|DEN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2012]]
|-
| align="center"|45
| rowspan="2"|29 May 2013 || rowspan="2"|[[FAU Stadium]], [[Miami]], United States || rowspan="2"|{{fb|ECU}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|4–2 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|46 || align="center"|3–0
|-
| align="center"|47 || 6 June 2014 || [[Coface Arena]], [[Mainz]], Germany || {{fb|ARM}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|6–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|48 || 25 March 2015 || [[Fritz-Walter-Stadion]], [[Kaiserslautern]], Germany || {{fb|AUS}} || align="center"|2–2 || align="center"|2–2 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|49 || 22 March 2017 || [[Signal Iduna Park]], [[Dortmund]], Germany || {{fb|ENG}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|}

== Honours ==

'''1. FC Köln'''
* [[2. Bundesliga]]: [[2004–05 2. Bundesliga|2004–05]]<ref name="Soccerway" />

'''Bayern Munich'''<ref name="Soccerway" />
* [[Bundesliga]]: [[2007–08 Bundesliga|2007–08]]
* [[DFB-Pokal]]: [[2007–08 DFB-Pokal|2007–08]]
* [[DFL-Ligapokal]]: [[2007 DFL-Ligapokal|2007]]

'''Arsenal'''<ref name="Soccerway" />
* [[FA Cup]]: [[2013–14 FA Cup|2013–14]]
* [[FA Community Shield]]: [[2014 FA Community Shield|2014]]

'''Galatasaray'''<ref name="Soccerway" />
* [[Turkish Cup]]: [[2015–16 Turkish Cup|2015–16]]
* [[Turkish Super Cup]]: [[2015 Turkish Super Cup|2015]], [[2016 Turkish Super Cup|2016]]

'''Vissel Kobe'''
* [[Emperor's Cup]]: [[2019 Emperor's Cup|2019]]<ref name="EmperorsCup" />

'''Germany'''<ref name="Soccerway" />
* [[FIFA World Cup]]: [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014]]; third place: [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]], [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]]
* [[UEFA European Championship]] runner-up [[2008 UEFA European Championship|2008]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Scott |date=2008-06-29 |title=Euro 2008: Germany 0-1 Spain |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jun/29/euro2008.germanyfootballteam2 |access-date=2022-08-11 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
* [[List of 2. Bundesliga top scorers|2.Bundesliga Top scorer]]: [[2004–05 2. Bundesliga|2004–05]]
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#FIFA Young Player Award|FIFA World Cup Best Young Player]]: [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]]<ref name=podolski>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/germany2006/news/newsid=20093/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119171938/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/germany2006/news/newsid=20093/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 January 2015|title=Lukas Podolski crowned Gillette Best Young Player|website=FIFA.com}}</ref>
* [[Silbernes Lorbeerblatt]]: 2006, 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/nationalelf/wm/dfb/DFB-Elf-erhaelt-Silbernes-Lorbeerblatt_bid_59101.html|title=DFB-Elf erhält Silbernes Lorbeerblatt|access-date=19 December 2010|language=de|work=[[Rheinische Post]]}}</ref> 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.dfb-team-bei-gauck-silbernes-lorbeerblatt-fuer-schweinsteiger-und-co.64b324ea-aba9-46a8-a25d-b9d7bff28bac.html|title=Silbernes Lorbeerblatt für Schweinsteiger und Co.|language=de|publisher=stuttgarter-nachrichten.de|date=10 November 2014|access-date=7 January 2015}}</ref>
* Silver Shoe: Euro 2008<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gettyimages.no/detail/news-photo/lukas-podolski-of-germany-is-awarded-with-a-silver-shoe-the-news-photo/82460658 | title = Germany - Training & Press Conference | website = gettyimages | date = 19 August 2008 | access-date = 8 December 2019}}</ref>
* [[UEFA European Championship Teams of the Tournament|UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament]]: [[UEFA Euro 2008#Awards|2008]]<ref name="uefaeuro2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=729372.html |title=Spain dominate Team of the Tournament |date=30 June 2008 |access-date=30 June 2008 |publisher=UEFA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080902032257/http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind%3D1/newsid%3D729372.html |archive-date=2 September 2008 }}</ref>
* ''[[Kicker (sports magazine)|kicker]]'' [[Bundesliga]] Team of the Season: [[2010–11 Bundesliga|2010–11]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/201011/startseite.html|title=Bundesliga Historie 2010/11|language=de|publisher=kicker}}</ref>
* [[Goal of the Year (Germany)]]: 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportschau.de/sendung/tdm/archiv/chronik10er/maerz2017tdm100.html|title=Podolski ist Torschütze des Jahres 2017|date=27 January 2018 |language=de|publisher=Sportschau|access-date=11 December 2018}}</ref>
* [[Ekstraklasa]] Top assists provider: [[2022–23 Ekstraklasa|2022–23]]<ref name="Asysty">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ekstraklasa.org/statystyki/indywidualne/asystenci |title=Asystenci |website=ekstraklasa.org |access-date=28 May 2023 |language=pl }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Charity and philanthropy ==
[[File:Lukas Podolski Arka Fundacja Dzieci IMG 0013.jpg|thumb|right|Podolski with children from ''Arka Fundacja Dzieci'' in [[Warsaw]], June 2015]]

Podolski is the founder of the Lukas Podolski Foundation for Sport and Education (''Lukas Podolski Stiftung für Sport und Bildung''), whose objectives are to provide opportunities for socially disadvantaged children and youth, combat child poverty, and advance social inclusion, integration, and international understanding.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lukas-podolski-stiftung.de/en/foundation#Ziele|title=Goals|publisher=Lukas Podolski Foundation|access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref>

He is also an ambassador of the Christian Children's Fund the Ark (''Die Arche'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lukas-podolski-stiftung.de/en/projects|publisher=Lukas Polski Foundation|title=Sponsorship|access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> One of his projects is a community day care centre for children located in a distressed part of [[Praga-Północ]] district in [[Warsaw]], Poland, opened in 2014. The facility is run by ''Arka Fundacja Dzieci'' sponsored by Podolski's foundation.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Łukasz Podolski otworzył świetlicę na Szmulkach|journal=Gazeta Stołeczna|date=20 May 2014|pages=3}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

Podolski was born to [[Waldemar Podolski]] and Krystyna Podolska in the [[Silesia]]n industrial city of [[Gliwice]] near [[Katowice]] in Poland. Waldemar is a former footballer who played in Poland and Germany. Krystyna is a former member of the [[Poland women's national handball team|Poland national handball team]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/germany-2-poland-0-polishborn-podolski-strikes-twice-to-double-german-delight-842873.html|title=Germany 2 Poland 0: Polish-born Podolski strikes twice to double German delight|work=The Independent|first=Jason|last=Burt|date=9 June 2008|access-date=9 June 2008}}</ref>

In 1987, when Podolski was two years old, his family emigrated from Poland to [[West Germany]] and were given ''[[Right of return|Aussiedler]]'' status as a result of his paternal grandparents having German citizenship prior to World War II (Gliwice was a [[former eastern territories of Germany|part of Germany]] until 1945 as ''Gleiwitz'').<ref>{{cite web|title=Podolski und Klose – Zwei Polen im Einsatz für Deutschland|work=Kleine Zeitung|access-date=6 June 2008|language=de|url=http://www.kleinezeitung.at/sport/fussball/euro2008/gruppeb/1318624/index.do}}</ref> Podolski grew up in [[Bergheim, North Rhine-Westphalia]], and later in [[Pulheim]], both near [[Cologne]].<ref>{{cite web|title=M 02.11 Lukas Podolski|access-date=17 October 2007|language=de|publisher=bpb.de|url=http://www.bpb.de/methodik/3ILKPA,0,0,M_02_11_Lukas_Podolski.html}}</ref>

Podolski possesses [[dual citizenship]], both German and Polish, but has stated that he does not have a [[Polish passport]].<ref name=keinpass>{{cite news|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/em2008/article2091163/Lukas_Podolski_hat_gar_keinen_polnischen_Pass.html|title=Lukas Podolski hat gar keinen polnischen Pass aber zwei Herzen|work=[[Die Welt]]|language=de|date=11 June 2008|access-date=5 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sport.interia.pl/pilka-nozna/news/nie-mam-polskiego-paszportu,1126543?source=rss|title=Nie mam polskiego paszportu|publisher=Interia.pl|access-date=10 June 2008|language=pl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netzeitung.de/sport/em2008/1049957.html|title=Podolski und der polnische Pass|work=Netzeitung|access-date=12 June 2008|language=de}}</ref><!-- The following citations do not support the cited statement and are hidden<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/top-10s/2008/09/09/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-manchester-city-target-lukas-podolski-115875-20730217/|title=10 Things you need to know about Manchester City target Lukas Podolski|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=9 August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polen-digital.de/news/die-polnische-staatsangehorigkeit-soll-podolski-und-klose-entzogen-werden/|title=Die polnische Staatsangehörigkeit soll Podolski und Klose entzogen werden|work=Polen-digital.de|access-date=9 June 2008|language=de}}</ref> --> In an interview Podolski said that the [[Polish Football Association]] never cared about him until he started playing for the [[Germany national under-21 football team|German under-21 team]] and received coverage in the media. At that point, Podolski had already decided to play for Germany, but nevertheless "there are two hearts beating" in his chest.<ref name=keinpass/> Podolski speaks Polish and sometimes communicated with [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] and [[Germany national football team|Germany]] strike partner [[Miroslav Klose]], also a Polish-born ''Aussiedler'', in Polish to hinder their opposition's understanding of their conversation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/players/player=62594/index.html|title=20 – Lukas Podolski|publisher=UEFA|access-date=1 November 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012104716/http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/players/player=62594/index.html|archive-date=12 October 2008}}</ref> Podolski is a fan of [[Górnik Zabrze|KS Górnik Zabrze]], a football team based {{convert|3|km}} from his place of birth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/news/2010/September/10/polish-hometown-club-dreams-of-signing-podolski/|title=Polish hometown club dreams of signing Podolski|date=10 September 2010|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=8 May 2011}}</ref>

In April 2011, Podolski married his longtime girlfriend Monika Puchalski in [[Cologne]], Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/leute/0,1518,757836,00.html |title=Lukas Podolski heiratet langjährige Freundin |trans-title=Lukas Podolski marries longtime girlfriend |work=Der Spiegel |date=18 April 2011 |access-date=19 April 2011 |language=de}}</ref> They had a church wedding in [[Kamionna, Węgrów County]], Poland in June 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wspolczesna.pl/apps/pbcs.dll/article?aid=/20110612/pogodzinach/671227643 |title=Lukas Podolski ślub: Wesele odbyło się w Polsce |work=[[Gazeta Współczesna]] |date=12 June 2011 |access-date=12 June 2011 |language=pl}}</ref> They have a son born 14 April 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tz-online.de/sport/fussball/fc-bayern/poldi-im-glueck---mein-kleiner-louis-soll-noch-geschwister-bekommen-96190.html|title=Poldi im Glück – "Mein kleiner Louis soll noch Geschwister bekommen"|work=tz-online.de|access-date=2 November 2009|date=22 June 2008|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://jetzt.sueddeutsche.de/texte/anzeigen/453341|title=Der kleine Prinz: Lukas Podolski spricht übers Vatersein|work=[[Süddeutsche Zeitung]]|date=4 November 2008|access-date=2 November 2009|language=de}}</ref> a daughter, born 6 June 2016,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sportowefakty.wp.pl/sportowybar/606718/wzruszajace-zdjecie-podolski-wita-na-swiecie-swoja-mala-ksiezniczke | title = Euro 2016: wzruszające zdjęcie. Podolski wita na świecie swoją "małą księżniczkę" | language = pl | website = sportowefakty.wp.pl | date = 6 June 2016 | access-date = 6 June 2016}}</ref> and a third child. They currently reside in Katowice, Poland, where Podolski owns an apartment in the Pierwsza Dzielnica neighborhood.<ref>{{Citation |title=Lukas Podolskis neues Zuhause in Polen {{!}} So modern wohnt der Fußballer mit seiner Familie {{!}} Roomtour | date=10 December 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja9krGN-r5s |access-date=2024-01-25 |language=en}}</ref>

Podolski owns an ice cream parlour and a [[kebab]] shop in Cologne.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/lukas-podolski-opens-kebab-shop-opens-in-cologne-arsenal-bayern-467859.jsp|title=Lukas Podolski opens kebab shop in Cologne |website=bundesliga.com |access-date=12 March 2018}}</ref>

On 30 June 2021, Podolski was announced as a judge for the 15th season of ''[[Das Supertalent]]'', the German version of ''[[Got Talent]]''. He will become the first [[association football]] player to judge any version of the franchise owned by [[Simon Cowell]].<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://extra.ie/2021/06/29/sport/soccernews/lukas-podolski-talent-show-judge | title = Ex Arsenal star Lukas Podolski surprises everyone with new career move | website = extra.ie | date = 29 June 2021 | access-date = 20 July 2021 | first = Barry | last = Arnold}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}

{{Commons category|Lukas Podolski}}
* {{90minut|7386|Lukas Podolski}}
* {{FIFA player|196789}}
* {{Official website|http://www.lukas-podolski.com/}}
* {{Fussballdaten|id=podolskilukas}}
* {{J.League player}}

{{Górnik Zabrze squad}}
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{{Germany squad UEFA Euro 2004}}
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{{Germany squad UEFA Euro 2012}}
{{Germany squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Podolski, Lukas}}
[[Category:1985 births]]
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