2014 FIFA World Cup: Get to Know Germany's Lukas Podolski
The star striker is looking to win his first World Cup title.
— -- Lukas Podolski made his international debut for Germany 10 years ago. And he’s racked up the appearances and goals at the World Cup ever since.
Although he was born in Poland, Podolski, 29, chose to play for Germany. He’s among several dual nationals in the German squad, which includes Miroslav Klose, another Polish-born forward. The two reportedly speak Polish to each other on the field on occasion to throw off defenders.
Podolski burst onto the limelight at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, showing off his favored left foot as he scored three goals to lead his country to a third-place finish.
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At the 2012 European Championships, Podolski became the youngest ever European to make 100 appearances for his country. He currently has 114 caps and 47 goals for Germany.
Podolski, who is poised to play in his third World Cup, currently plays for Arsenal in the Premier League in England with fellow German national teamers Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil. Podolski has scored 28 goals in two seasons with Arsenal and celebrated the club’s first trophy win in nine years last month.
Off the field, he’s provided backup vocals for “Halleluja,” a Europop hit by the Brings, a German-band from Cologne, where Podolski grew up and played for 1 FC Koln.
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