Lukas Podolski's Farewell Match Descends into Violence

Lukas Podolski's Farewell Match Turns Chaotic

Lukas Podolski's farewell match in Cologne spiraled into chaos on Thursday as violence erupted in the streets. Tensions escalated between two groups near the cathedral, leading to a stabbing incident. A 32-year-old Polish man, heading to the match, suffered critical injuries and was rushed to the hospital. A 17-year-old suspected accomplice, covered in blood, was apprehended.

Violence and Police Injuries

The turmoil escalated with yet another altercation among Polish fans, prompting riot police intervention. Projectiles were thrown at law enforcement, resulting in nine officers being injured. Authorities are currently studying surveillance footage to identify troublemakers who used the chaos to disperse. Reports suggest the conflict involved fans of Gornik Zabrze, Podolski's club, and rival GKS Katowice, with some accounts pointing to clashes between Polish and German supporters.

Podolski's Celebratory Match

Born in Poland (Gliwice) and trained at FC Cologne, Podolski began his professional career there (2003-2006) before stints at Bayern Munich (2006-2009), returning (2009-2012), Arsenal, Inter Milan, and Galatasaray. In 2021, he joined Gornik Zabrze. During his farewell, he showcased his talents, scoring a goal and assisting another in a match that ended 5-3.

A Night to Remember

Many of Podolski's former teammates, like Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, and Per Mertesacker, attended the tribute match, which drew a crowd of 50,000. Podolski expressed gratitude for the support he received, stating, "A Cologne fan today, a Cologne fan always". The atmosphere was filled with emotion as he celebrated his legacy with fans, teammates, and the city.